The Book of Salt

Anh Minh is the sous chef in the Governor-General’s house and has convinced the Old Man to let him get Binh a job in the kitchen as well. The first lessons taught by Anh Minh to Binh are about the particulars of others working in the household. Anh Minh says not to gossip about but take heed of these various traits. Anh Minh then gives cooking lessons. He acts as though he doesn’t mind Chef Bleriot coming in and taking the head-chef position.

Binh writes that “Anh Minh believed that if he could save three minutes here, five minutes there, then one day he could tally them all up and have enough to start life all over again” (43). Binh enjoys listening to Anh Minh because Anh Minh has his father’s low and deep voice (and is the only son who inherited it) but gives encouraging, rather than damaging words, which is distinctly unlike their father.

The Old Man was harsh to all his sons, stating they shared the nickname Stupid. The second-oldest brother became a railroad porter, in second class, hoping always to advance to the next level.