French Book Club: Ru (Option 1)

***Note***
We will be discussing the entire book during this meeting and the meeting of June 3. You can attend either one.
***

We are excited to announce that our next book club selection is the poignant and beautifully crafted novel "Ru" by Kim Thúy, to be read in its original French edition. This autobiographical novel has touched the hearts of readers worldwide with its lyrical and evocative storytelling.

The style of Ru has been described as auto-fiction, and it weaves through time, flowing like a river of sensuous memories. It tells the tale of a woman’s experiences as a boat person leaving Vietnam, her time in a refugee camp in Malaysia, and her life as an early immigrant in Granby, Quebec. The novel is written in 144 unnumbered vignettes, sharing memories across different environments.

Title: Ru
Author: Kim Thúy
Published: 2009
Pages: 152

Why "Ru"?

• Cultural and Historical Insight: "Ru," meaning "lullaby" in Vietnamese and "stream" in French, offers a unique perspective on the Vietnamese immigrant experience in Canada. It's a journey from a war-torn Vietnam to the search for a new life in Quebec, told through a series of vignettes.
• Language Experience: Written in a simple yet elegant French, this novel provides an excellent opportunity for club members to immerse themselves in the French language in a very accessible way.
• Themes of Identity and Adaptation: The book delves into themes of displacement, identity, and the adaptation to a new culture, all of which resonate deeply in today's global context.
• Award-Winning Literature: Kim Thuy's "Ru" has garnered critical acclaim, winning several awards and nominations, including the Governor General's Award for French-language fiction.

«Kim Thúy nous berce autant qu'elle nous bouleverse.»
-Elle

«Plus qu'un livre, une révélation.»
-Les Êchos

To participate:
1. Read the French edition of the book (how to find books in French)
2. Pour a glass of wine and join our online meeting to discuss what you thought about it (en Français).

Resources:

1. Interview with Kim Thuy.

Looking ahead:
SONDAGE: If you haven't already, please help us choose future books to read by taking this online poll.