Books / Fiction / Literary /

Ru: Kanata Classics Edition

Kim Thúy
Introduction by Sharon Bala
  • Front cover

Ru: Kanata Classics Edition

Kim Thúy
Introduction by Sharon Bala
$22.00
$22.00 $0.00
Final Sale. No returns or exchanges.
Oversized: This item will be shipped by appointment through our delivery partner.
Overweight: This item will be shipped by appointment through our delivery partner.

Digital download

Immediate access in your Kobo library

Deliver to

In stock online. Free shipping on orders over $49

Buy online, pick up at Bay & Floor

Free pick up today

Find it in store

Out of stock

Found in: FICTION, General Fiction

Check nearby Stores

Earn 110 plum points and save more with plum Rewards. Learn more

View full details

Overview

CANADIAN144 PAGESENGLISH
Promotional Details

Shop The Series

Kanata Classics
Kanata Classics
Previous
Next

Others Also Bought

Previous
Next
WINNER 2015 - Canada Reads
WINNER 2011 – Grand prix littéraire Archambault
WINNER 2011 – Mondello Prize for Multiculturalism
WINNER 2010 – Prix du Grand Public Salon du livre––Essai/Livre pratique
WINNER 2010 – Governor General’s Award for Fiction (French-language)
WINNER 2010 – Grand Prix RTL-Lire at the Salon du livre de Paris
Longlisted 2013 – Man Asian Literary Prize
Longlisted 2014 – International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award
Nominated 2012 – Amazon.ca First Novel Award
Shortlist 2012 - Scotiabank Giller Prize
Shortlist 2012 – Governor General’s Literary Award for Translation

“This is one of the millions of stories of migration in this country, the story of a woman migrating from Vietnam to Canada . . . It is harrowing, beautiful, and has compressed, perfect writing. This is the story of the future of Canada.”
—Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival, defending Ru at Canada Reads 2015

"This is an exemplary autobiographical novel. Never is there the slightest hint of narcissism or self-pity. The major events in the fall of Vietnam are painted in delicate strokes, through the daily existence of a woman who has to reinvent herself elsewhere. A tragic journey described in a keen, sensitive and perfectly understated voice."
—Governor General's Literary Award jury citation

“Gloriously, passionately, delicately unique….  A remarkable book; one that has well-earned every note of praise it has received.”
—The Chronicle Journal
 
“Powerful and engaging.... In short entries that read lyrically and poetically—but also powerfully, pungently, and yet gently, dispassionately—Ru blends politics and history, celebration and violence within a young girl’s imaginative experience…. [I]ts hybrid and enchanted voice conjur[es] a love song out of chaos and pain, singing and rilling its simplicities.”
—Winnipeg Free Press

“In a series of vignettes which extend from wartime Vietnam to the hospitable precincts of Quebec, Kim Thúy writes with equal delicacy and candor about a childhood marked by horrifying brutality, and the pleasures of ordinary peace. A brave and moving book, bringing lucid insight both to the costs of violence, and elusive processes of psychic survival.”
—Eva Hoffman, author of Lost in Translation

Overall rating: 4.4871793 / 5 from 39 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Ru: Kanata Classics Edition is celebrated for its beautiful and engaging storytelling, capturing the essence of life's journey through vivid vignettes. Customers find it a great and enjoyable read, appreciating its exquisite clarity and sharp observation. The book is praised for its seamless transition between past and present, celebrating life's beauty and sorrow.

Summary topics

  • Storytelling: 22%
  • Enjoyable Read: 35%

Review topics: [book, read, story, written, novella, writing].

Review highlights

  • "This book is a completely unbelievable true story." — Sarah
  • "The story is beautifully told, the writing is beautiful and poetic." — Rebecca
  • "This book is a lovely read and so enjoyable and thought provoking." — Lisa M.

Reviews

Inspirational book!

"A very interesting read. The story gave me great insight into life for the Vietnamese people."

— Lisa (4/5)

Beautiful story! Kim Thúy

"Beautiful story! Kim Thúy let us into her life with this book. There is so much to learn from and to understand from Ru, it is a honest and heartfelt story, than I am glad I got the chance to read. #IndigoEmployee"

— Nattt (5/5)

Lullaby

"A beautifully written piece that feels more like memoir than novel. The narrator lulls the reader into a dreamlike state as she describes so much suffering and loss. We awaken gently to her transformation through her appreciation of kindness and simple beauty in her new world."

— Linda H. (5/5)

Toujours lire dans la langue originale quand c’est accessible

"J’avais beaucoup entendu parlé du livre, et j’ai aimé. Je regrette mon erreur de l’avoir commandé en anglais, je suis certaine que la langue d’écriture de kim thuy est plus riche."

— Elizabeth (4/5)

Poetic with beautiful imagery

"This is a small book with a big story to tell. The author packs so much into few words, with images that will stay with you long after you finish the book."

— L D. (5/5)

bien écris

"Elle a une très belle écriture. très imagé. Bon livre"

— Anny (4/5)

BEAUTIFUL.

"This book brought me to such a special place and it gave me tears of love, family, isolation, acceptance, deliverance, and resilience. Such a special book."

— Royer (5/5)

Stunning

"This book is a work of art. One of my favourite reads."

— Laesa (5/5)

Good book

"A quick and lovely read. The poetic is what I'd call ""pretty"" rather than ""beautiful"", but it's a very pleasant read. For the first half of the book, her technique of ending each chapter/segment in a cliffhanger or revealing sentence is very intriguing, but it seems repetitive for the rest of the novel."

— Grace (4/5)

Beautifully Written

"A quick but well written poetic novella in which readers will become emotionally invested in the author's personal story."

— Marley (4/5)

Q&A

  • Published date: Jul 15, 2025
  • Language: English
  • No. of Pages: 144
  • Publisher: McClelland & Stewart
  • ISBN: 9780771023583
  • Dimensions: 5.51" W x 0.31" L x 8.26" H
KIM THÚY has worked as a seamstress, interpreter, lawyer and restaurant owner. She currently lives in Montreal where she devotes herself to writing.

SHEILA FISCHMAN is the award-winning translator of some 150 contemporary novels from Quebec. In 2008 she was awarded the Molson Prize in the Arts. She is a Member of the Order of Canada and a chevalier of the Order national du Québec. She lives in Montreal.

You May Also Like

Previous
Next

Recently Viewed