Books by Kim Thuy

Ru: In Vietnamese it means lullaby; in French it is a small stream, but also signifies a flow - of tears, blood, and money. This book presents a lullaby of Vietnam and a love letter to a new homeland.

A warm and welcoming introduction to a vibrant cuisine, with more than 50 easy to make recipes from internationally bestselling novelist Kim Thúy.Between careers as a lawyer and an acclaimed novelist, Kim Thúy ran a celebrated restaurant called Ru de Nam in Montreal. Now, in her first cookbook, Kim combines her beautiful storytelling style with simple and wonderful recipes that are full of flavour: surprising yet comforting, and easy enough for every day. Welcoming us into her close-knit circle, she introduces us to her mother and five aunts, each with her story, each with her secrets, told through the food of the country they had to leave, Vietnam. Starting with easily-prepared base ingredients of sauces, quick pickled vegetables and toasted rice flour, we move on to soups, sautés, vegetables, grilled foods, desserts and more. Sample recipes include: Stuffed Squash Soup; Vermicelli Bowls; Caramel Pork; Calamari, Pork and Pineapple Stir-fry; Fried Lemongrass Fish; and Vietnamese Tapioca and Banana. Also, in collaboration with sommelier Michelle Bouffard, Kim suggests wine pairings for these Vietnamese dishes. Kim says that Vietnamese often display their affection more easily with food than with words. This exquisite book deliciously demonstrates that every meal is an opportunity to show love, and to be grateful for those who sit down to eat with us.

Ru betyder ”vuggevise” eller ”at vugge” på vietnamesisk; på fransk dækker det over en lille strøm eller bæk. Det er også titlen på Kim Thúys meget roste selvbiografiske roman – en lille strøm af erindringer, som slingrende bevæger sig fra barndommen i krigens Sydvietnam til livet i eksil i Canada. Og undervejs følger vi hende og familien på flugt i båd over Den Siamesiske Bugt, i flygtningelejren i Malaysia og på rejsen tilbage til Vietnam som voksen. Og vi hører om de stærke følelser, hun oplever som mor, spejlet i erindringen om hendes egen mor.Thúys fortælling springer ubekymret i tid og sted og følger sin egen indre logik, hvor slutakkorden i hvert erindringsglimt, fører ubesværet videre ind i det næste. Det giver fortællingen sin helt egen spontane rytme, som man som læser villigt lader sig vugge ind i. Og alt er skildret med både humor og alvor – og et kniv­skarpt blik for små hverdagsdetaljer, der ofte senere viser sig livsvigtige.