Kim Thúy’s Ru is nothing short of exquisite – a beautiful and lyrically written book that quietly takes your breath away. Born at the moment of the Tet offensive into South Vietnam, a girl begins her life in “the shadow of skies shot through with rockets and missiles”. At the time of her birth her mother still dreamed that her new daughter might be a scientist, a politician, or a musician, but those dreams were quickly and terrifyingly quashed. Thúy takes us gently along on her unforgettable journey from a palatial residence in Saigon to a crowded, muddy refugee camp and finally to a new life in Quebec. We follow the girl’s story as she adapts to a foreign land, feels the embrace of a new community and revels in the chance to be part of the American dream. As an adult, she builds her family anew, never forgetting all that has passed, her reservoir of adaptiveness called upon again as she learns to shape her love around her younger son’s autism. Moving seamlessly from past to present, from history to memory and back again, Ru is a book that celebrates life in all its wonder, its moments of beauty and sensuality, brutality and sorrow, comfort and comedy. Winner of the Governor General’s Award, Ru is at once a lullaby for Vietnam and a love letter to a new homeland.

A simple book (translated from French) which is a collection of thoughts/reflections back on Nguyễn An Tịnh's life. You get to know her and her family as she grows up in Vietnam in the 60s and 70s, they fleeing to Manila and then immigrate to Canada where she lives in Montreal with her sons. She tells you of the important events of her life, the events than mean something to her - though seen as moments of reminiscing and some of insight to her past and why she is the way she is. Short and easy read.

Such a gentle, wise, gracious, eye opening, respectful, insightful , enjoyable experience to read this absolutely delightful book. So few words tell such a powerful and poetic story, loved it!

Re Indigo's book summary: It's a bit picky of me, I know, but since when is living in Quebec "living an American Dream". How about a "Canadian Dream?"

Une suite de courtes histoires alternant entre les souvenirs du pays natal et l’adaptation à la vie nord-américaine. L’auteure nous parle de son enfance au Vietnam, de la guerre, de la fuite avec les boat people, de l’accueil chaleureux qu’elle et sa famille ont reçu au Québec dans la région de Granby. Des récits touchants qui décrivent très justement l’exil, l’éloignement de ses racines mais aussi la difficulté de rester en pays conquis.