Book description
Ru: In Vietnamese it means lullaby; in French it is a small stream, but also signifies a flow - of tears, blood, money. Kim Thuy's Ru is literature at its most crystalline: the flow of a life on the tides of unrest and on to more peaceful waters. In vignettes…
Why read it?
2 authors picked Ru as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
This is a masterpiece of storytelling that paints scenes with a featherlight touch.
With an economy of words I greatly admire, Kim Thúy’s semi-autobiography reveals a rich story about a young girl’s escape from war-torn Vietnam. Ru explores the hardships of being a refugee, one who must grapple with finding her identity in a foreign culture.
I love the lyricism and Thúy's ability to conjure a scene through small, haunting vignettes.
From Gina's list on the immigrant experience and its aftermath.
This lyrical and poignant memoir chronicles Kim Thúy's journey from Vietnam to Quebec as a refugee. The book's fragmented narrative mirrors the process of piecing together memories and identities.
I was particularly moved by the author's ability to convey profound emotions with simplicity and elegance, making it a touching exploration of intergenerational trauma and the healing power of storytelling.
From Christina's list on healing generational trauma Vietnamese authors.
If you love Ru...
These Blue Mountains
A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.
German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…
Want books like Ru?
Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Ru.
Share your top 3 reads of 2025!
And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.
1,366
readers submitted
so far, will you?
📚 If you like Ru, you might also like...
Deadly Revenge
Deputy Jenna Hart has only been working in her sleepy hometown of Pearl Springs for seven months when city officials begin to be targeted by a killer. Twenty years ago, the construction of a dam caused people to lose their land to eminent domain. That wound has not healed with…
The Duty of Memory
Separating the true stories from the myths, The Duty of Memory provides a deeper understanding of the diverse motivations that drove ordinary people to join an underground network of French Resistants despite terrible odds and horrifying consequences.
This book takes the reader inside the true story of men and women…
