Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai -- "Dust Child"
Category: Literary
Date and Time for this Past Event
- Saturday, Mar 25, 2023 4pm - 5pm
Location
Boulder Bookstore
1107 Pearl St
Details
Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai will speak about and sign her new book, "Dust Child," on Saturday, March 25th at 4:00pm, at Boulder Bookstore. This event is co-sponsored by the CU Center for Asian Studies. Tickets for this event are $5 (plus a small processing fee) and are available on Eventbrite.
About the Book:
In 1969, sisters Trang and Quỳnh, desperate to help their parents pay off debts, leave their rural village and become “bar girls” in Sài Gòn, drinking, flirting (and more) with American GIs in return for money. As the war moves closer to the city, the once-innocent Trang gets swept up in an irresistible romance with a young and charming American helicopter pilot. Decades later, an American veteran, Dan, returns to Việt Nam with his wife, Linda, hoping to find a way to heal from his PTSD and, unbeknownst to her, reckon with secrets from his past.
At the same time, Phong—the son of a Black American soldier and a Vietnamese woman—embarks on a search to find both his parents and a way out of Việt Nam. Abandoned in front of an orphanage, Phong grew up being called “the dust of life,” “Black American imperialist,” and “child of the enemy,” and he dreams of a better life for himself and his family in the U.S.
Past and present converge as these characters come together to confront decisions made during a time of war—decisions that force them to look deep within and find common ground across race, generation, culture, and language. Suspenseful and poetic, "Dust Child" tells an unforgettable and immersive story of how those who inherited tragedy can redefine their destinies through love, hard-earned wisdom, compassion, courage, and joy.
IMPORTANT TICKETING AND EVENT INFORMATION
*Tickets are $5 (plus a small processing fee).
*A coupon good for $5 off a copy of "Dust Child," or a purchase on the day of the event is included with your ticket. You will receive this coupon at the event.
*COVID-19 measures: Admission to this event will be limited, and masks are encouraged for all attendees.
