A Half-Century After Saigon's Fall, the Diaspora Writes On

At Kepler's Books, a packed audience engaged in a discussion about 'The Cleaving: Vietnamese Writers in the Diaspora,' an anthology compiled by Viet Thanh Nguyen, Isabelle Thuy Pelaud, and Lan Duong. Featuring contributors like Doan Bui and Nguyen Phan Que Mai, the conversation explored the complexities of Vietnamese identity shaped by colonial legacies and personal narratives. With reflections on history, literary journeys, and cultural expression, the anthology opens a dialogue about the experiences of 37 writers in the diaspora. This event complements ongoing celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, emphasizing the significance of cultural recollections and achievements.

The Cleaving gathers a multitude of voices of Vietnamese diasporic authors, revealing the complex legacies of colonialism, militarism, and familial histories intertwined with their literary achievements.

This anthology showcases the necessity of confronting the realities of displacement, as dialogues among 37 writers delve deeply into their family histories and artistic journeys.

During the conversation, Nguyen Phan Que Mai beautifully shared her poetry in both Vietnamese and English, emphasizing the importance of cultural representation within the diaspora.

Viet Thanh Nguyen and Isabelle Thuy Pelaud reflected on their early days at Berkeley, illustrating how grassroots movements like Ink & Blood initiated vital networks for Vietnamese artists.

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