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Post by mei on Dec 18, 2019 6:21:47 GMT -5
At my work we've started up a book club reading fiction from Asian authors. For the next one (after a Japanese book first, then a Chinese book for the second meeting) we want to read something by an author from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei, East-Timor or Myanmar.
I'm pretty stumped. The only thing I can find that sounds good are the books by Eka Kurniawan (Indonesia).
Any suggestions from any of you?
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Post by ozziegiraffe on Dec 18, 2019 7:05:45 GMT -5
The Happiest Refugee, autobiography of Anh Do, a Vietnamese refugee who has become one of Australia’s favourite comedians and artists. Not written by someone still living in Vietnam, though, but it tells the story of how he and his family left Vietnam for Australia.
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Post by sophie on Dec 18, 2019 10:18:31 GMT -5
Highly recommend Tan Twan Eng from Malaysia. One of his books was shortlisted for the Booker.. both books ( Garden of Evening Mists, Gift of Rain) are fabulous.
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Post by scrubb on Dec 18, 2019 11:22:37 GMT -5
I second sophie's recommendation - have only read "GArden of Evening Mists" but it was fantastic. I found this webpage with recommendations for Vietnamese books, but the goal of them is to get an understanding of the country, rather than just to read some good lit, so I don't know if they will be what you want: list of recommended Vietnamese books |
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Post by mei on Dec 18, 2019 12:24:26 GMT -5
thanks! interesting suggestions :-) I've sent in the Malaysian author for the short list to vote on.
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Post by Liiisa on Dec 18, 2019 14:00:55 GMT -5
I was going to say Tan Twan Eng also... unfortunately that’s the only southeast Asian writer I’ve read.
Well but Ocean Vuong is supposed to be wonderful- I haven’t read him yet though. (Errr actually I don’t even know if he’s really based in SE Asia... he could be in LA or something- but “Vuong” definitely sounds like a Vietnamese name.)
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Post by lillielangtry on Dec 19, 2019 2:04:41 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure he lives in the US, Liiisa. The blog A year of reading the world has a list that is useful for stuff like this. The Project is a few years old but the list gets updated every now and then. ayearofreadingtheworld.com/thelist/ |
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Post by mei on Dec 19, 2019 14:32:31 GMT -5
wow, what an amazing list lillie! thanks for sharing, I'm bookmarking it when I need other inspiration!
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Post by Phar Lap on Dec 20, 2019 20:55:14 GMT -5
I can recommend The Dragon's Journey by Duy Long Nguyen and James Knight.
It's the story of a young boy known as "Longy", growing up in Vietnam during a time of upheaval and war, and how he managed to flee on a boat to safety.
I loved the book and have reread it more than once.
There are several photos of Longy and his family in Vietnam and Australia.
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Post by Queen on Jan 1, 2020 4:46:48 GMT -5
Kevin Kwan
Crazy Rich Asians
And when you get up to India
Em and the Big Hoom
Jerry Pinto
(funny and heartbreaking)
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