Quebec writer of Vietnamese origin Kim Thúy is on the short list of finalists for one of the most prestigious literary prizes in the world for her latest novelEmpublished in 2020.
The novel, which addresses the impact of the Vietnam War on generations of Vietnamese, is thus one of the six finalist works of the 28e edition of the International Dublin Literary Award, one of the most prestigious annual awards in the world for works of fiction written or translated into English.
Basically, the novel Empublished in 2020 by Free expression and translated into English by Sheila Fischman, was in a preliminary list of 70 novels submitted by 84 public libraries from 31 countries around the world. Three novels by Quebec writers were initially in this list, but only that of Kim Thúy is found in the short list of finalist works, which was determined by three Irish writers named judges of the 2023 edition of the literary competition.
“Librarians are the most demanding and discerning readers because they guide and transmit knowledge and imagination every day. To be nominated by them is both a unique privilege and the greatest of honours,” said Ms.me Thúy, by press release.
Born in Saigon in 1968, Kim Thúy moved to Quebec at the age of 10, where over the years she has become one of the most prominent contemporary writers. The author of Ru, man And vi has received numerous accolades, including the Governor General’s Literary Award in 2010. She was also a finalist for the Alternative Nobel Prize in 2018. The internationally known writer has sold more than 850,000 copies of his works, which have been translated into 31 languages and distributed in 43 countries.
Her fourth novel, Em, offers as a backdrop the story of a boy who comes to the rescue of a baby during the Vietnam War, the ravages of which are brilliantly documented through the 144 pages of this novel. “There was a loss of innocence, but at the same time, an enrichment of my knowledge and my person”, had confided in 2020 the writer to the Dutyabout the process of creating this book, published in English by Seven Stories Press UK.
A generous scholarship
This award, sponsored by Dublin City Council, comes with a cash prize of 100,000 euros, the equivalent of 148,000 Canadian dollars. The other books in the running, in addition to the latest work by Kim Thúy, are Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr (USA), The Trees by Percival Everett (UNITED STATES), paradise by Fernanda Melchor (Mexico), Marzahn, my love by Katja Oskamp (Germany) and Love Novel by Ivana Sajko (Croatia).
The award will be presented on May 25 as part of the opening ceremony of the International Dublin Literary Award, which will be held in the Irish capital.