Dust Child
Dust Child by Que Mai Phan Nguyen, published by Algonquin Books on March 14, 2023, is a richly poetic saga that intertwines the lives of two Vietnamese sisters, an American veteran, and an Amerasian man against the backdrop of the Vietnam War. This edition spans 336 pages and is presented in English, offering readers an exploration of the complexities of human relationships shaped by conflict and cultural heritage.
The narrative follows sisters Trang and Quỳnh as they navigate the challenges of life in Sài Gòn, where they encounter American GIs and the realities of war. Decades later, the story shifts to Dan, an American veteran seeking healing, and Phong, the son of a Black American soldier, who embarks on a quest to uncover his roots. As their paths converge, the characters confront the lasting impacts of their past decisions, revealing themes of redemption and resilience. Dust Child presents an immersive experience that delves into the intersections of race, generation, and culture, inviting readers to reflect on the enduring consequences of war.
Official synopsis Publisher
Finalist for the 2024 Dayton Literary Peace Prize. From the bestselling author of The Mountains Sing, a richly poetic and suspenseful saga about two Vietnamese sisters, an American veteran, and an Amerasian man whose lives intersect in surprising ways, set during and after the war in Việt Nam.
“Powerful and deeply empathetic. A heartbreaking tale of lost ideals, human devotion, and hard-won redemption. Dust Child establishes Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai as one of our finest observers of the devastating consequences of war, and proves, once more, her ability to captivate readers and lure them into Viet Nam’s rich and poignant history.”―Viet Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sympathizer and The Committed
In 1969, sisters Trang and Quỳnh, desperate to help their parents pay off debts, leave their rural village to work at a bar in Sài Gòn. Once in the big city, the young girls are thrown headfirst into a world they were not expecting. They learn how to speak English, how to dress seductively, and how to drink and flirt (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 handsome and kind American helicopter pilot she meets at the bar.
Decades later, an American veteran, Dan, returns to Việt Nam with his wife, Linda, in search of a way to heal from his PTSD; instead, secrets he thought he had buried surface and threaten his marriage. At the same time, Phong–the adult son of a Black American soldier and a Vietnamese woman–embarks on a mission 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 in the United States for himself, his wife Bình, and his children.
Past and present converge as these characters come together to confront decisions made during a time of war–decisions that reverberate throughout one another’s lives and ultimately allow them to find common ground across race, generation, culture, and language. Immersive, moving, and lyrical, Dust Child tells an unforgettable story of how those who inherited tragedy can redefine their destinies with hard-won wisdom, compassion, courage, and joy.
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