Summary
Ru by Kim Thúy is a critically acclaimed novel recounting a Vietnamese refugee's journey from Saigon to Quebec. Through its unique structure, consisting of 144 unnumbered vignettes, this intimate work of autofiction offers a poignant exploration of war, migration, and resettlement. First published in French in 2009, Ru won the Governor General's Award for Fiction. In 2023, Ru was adapted into a film directed by Charles-Olivier Michaud.
Plot
Ru follows the life journey of An Tinh Nguyen, a woman born in Saigon in 1968 during the Tet Offensive. The story unfolds through a series of vignettes, moving between her childhood in Vietnam, her experiences as a refugee in Malaysia, and her new life in Quebec, Canada. Though born into a wealthy family, An Tinh becomes just another one of the “boat people” fleeing Vietnam in the late 1970s.
The narrative shifts between different periods of An Tinh's life, recounting her time in a crowded and muddy Malaysian refugee camp and her subsequent journey to Quebec. In Canada, she embraces her new community and fresh opportunities. As an adult, An Tinh faces new challenges when she becomes a mother of two sons, one of whom has autism. This development forces her to adapt her approach to love and parenting.
Throughout the novel, the protagonist's memories and experiences are interwoven, creating a tapestry of moments that encompass the beauty, brutality, comfort, and complexity of life. The story touches on themes of war, migration, and resettlement, offering glimpses into the immigrant experience and the process of adapting to a new culture while carrying the weight of one's past.
Themes
Immigration and cultural adaptation
Memory and identity
Family relationships and generational differences
Trauma and resilience
Contrast between wealth and poverty
Motherhood and unconditional love
The impact of war on individuals and society
Setting
Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and its aftermath, Ru spans several decades and geographical locations. The story begins in Saigon during the late 1960s, specifically during the 1968 Tet Offensive. During this turbulent period, the protagonist An Tinh Nguyen enjoyed a privileged upbringing in a wealthy Vietnamese family. Her early life provides a stark contrast to the upheaval that follows.
The story then shifts to the late 1970s, as An Tinh and her family join the wave of “boat people” fleeing Vietnam. This section of the novel vividly portrays the harrowing journey across the South China Sea to a crowded and squalid refugee camp in Malaysia. The depiction of this transitional period captures the desperation and uncertainty faced by thousands of Vietnamese refugees during this time.
Finally, the setting moves to Quebec, Canada, where An Tinh and her family resettle as immigrants. This part of the story, which extends into An Tinh’s adult life, explores the challenges and opportunities of adapting to a new culture. The novel's seamless movement between these diverse settings—from Saigon to Malaysia to Quebec—reflects the disjointed nature of the refugee experience and the journey to find a new home.
Characters
An Tinh Nguyen: The protagonist and narrator, a Vietnamese refugee who immigrates to Canada as a child. She reflects on her experiences in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Quebec.
Nguyen's mother: A wealthy woman in Vietnam who becomes a refugee and works hard to rebuild her life in Canada.
Nguyen's father: Described as more adaptable than his wife, he adjusts to life in Canada with less difficulty.
Uncle Two: An uncle who remains in Vietnam and becomes impoverished under the communist regime.
Aunt Six: An aunt who helps the family escape Vietnam and later joins them in Canada.
Pascal: Nguyen's autistic son, whose condition shapes her perspective on love and family.
Guillaume: Nguyen's other son.
Grandmother Ba: Nguyen's grandmother, who stays behind in Vietnam.
Ahn: A childhood friend from the refugee camp in Malaysia.
Jeanne: A Quebec woman who helps the Nguyen family integrate into Canadian society.
Quick facts
Ru is a work of autofiction—a blend of autobiography and fiction.
Ru was Kim Thúy's debut novel, published when she was 41 years old.
The novel’s title has meaning in both French and Vietnamese—in French, “ru” means “small stream,” while in Vietnamese “ru” is another word for “lullaby."
Ru was originally written and published in French in 2009.
The novel unfolds in 144 short, unnumbered vignettes rather than traditional chapters.
Family members in the novel are referred to by birth order rather than names, following Vietnamese custom.
The novel sparked some controversy in Vietnam for its portrayal of communist history.
Ru has been translated into more than 20 languages and published in more than 20 countries.
Ru won the 2010 Governor General's Award for French language fiction.
The English translation by Sheila Fischman was shortlisted for several Canadian literary awards, including the 2012 Giller Prize.
In 2015, Ru won the Canada Reads competition, defeating other notable Canadian books.
Ru was adapted into a 2023 film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
About the Author
Kim Thúy is a Vietnamese-born Canadian writer. Born in Saigon in 1968, she fled Vietnam at the age of 10 with her family as part of the “boat people” exodus. After spending time in a refugee camp in Malaysia, Thúy settled in Quebec, Canada, with her family. She earned degrees in linguistics, translation, and law from the Université de Montréal. Her remarkable career includes roles as a seamstress, interpreter, lawyer, and restaurant owner. This rich tapestry of experiences would later inform her writing, bringing authenticity and depth to her fiction.
In 2009, Thúy published her debut novel Ru. The book won the Governor General's Award for French language fiction and was later translated into English, receiving further accolades. Thúy's work often explores themes of migration, cultural identity, and the refugee experience, drawing from her own life story. Her subsequent novels, including Mãn and Vi, have continued to garner critical acclaim and a growing international readership.
Beyond her literary achievements, Thúy has been recognized for her contributions to Canadian culture and society. She has received numerous honors, including being named a Knight of the National Order of Quebec and a member of the Order of Canada. Thúy's success as an author, with her books translated into over 30 languages and distributed in more than 40 countries, demonstrates the universal appeal of her storytelling and the important perspectives she brings to global literature.
