Viet Thanh Nguyen arrived in the US in 1975, living in a camp for Vietnamese refugees. Winner of last year’s Pulitzer prize for his debut novel, The Sympathizer, his superb new short story collection has a poignant dedication: “For all refugees, everywhere.”
A ghostwriter narrates the opening tale, in which she is haunted by her brother, who died during a treacherous boat journey. “Does it still hurt for you?” the ghost asks. These eight exquisite stories explore the lingering effects of physical and emotional pain.
In one, about a wife dealing with her husband’s dementia, a song stirs memories. In another, the son of Vietnamese grocery store owners in San Jose recalls his mother’s courage when held at gunpoint. Throughout, there are people striving against the odds to make ends meet and begin again. “Writing was entering into fog,” observes the ghostwriter, but Nguyen crafts dazzlingly lucid prose.
• The Refugees by Viet Thanh Nguyen is published by Corsair (£12.99). To order a copy for £8.99 go to bookshop.theguardian.com or call 0330 333 6846. Free UK p&p over £10, online orders only. Phone orders min p&p of £1.99
