Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

Share Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai with friends

A Night in with

Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

9 May 2023 – 23 May 2023

Join the internationally bestselling author of The Mountains Sing, Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, in conversation with Sofia Akel to celebrate the publication of her eagerly awaited new novel, Dust Child.

Four lives, entwined forever by decisions made in a time of conflict. But what happens decades later when they unexpectedly converge once more?

In 1969, sisters Trang and Quỳnh leave their rural village to find work in Sài Gòn, to help their impoverished parents. When they take jobs as hostesses in a bar frequented by American GIs, they have to accept it will mean compromising values they have always held dear. As the fighting moves closer to the city, the elder sister, Trang, begins a romance with an American helicopter pilot.

Decades later, Phong – a ‘Dust Child’ – the son of a Black American soldier and a Vietnamese woman, abandoned by his mother and rejected all his life, has never given up hope of finding his parents and a new life outside Việt Nam. While Dan, a war veteran still plagued by regrets about his actions all those years ago, has returned with his wife Linda, in the hope of confronting the demons that refuse to fall silent.

In conversation for this extra special virtual event, Quế Mai and Sofia will dive into the family secrets and hidden heartache found in the novel. Dust Child draws on Quế Mai’s many years of working as a volunteer helping family members unite and reflects the real-life experience of Amerasians and their families. Do not miss this incredible event!

 “Dazzling. Sharply drawn and hauntingly beautiful.” Elif Shafak

 “An evocative tale that sheds lights on a legacy of the Việt Nam war that more should know about, Nguyễn’s love for her country and its citizens shines through the pages of Dust Child.” Jing Jing Lee

Dates, Venues & Times

– WE RECOMMEND –

Click here

In Conversation

Susan Jung and Ken Hom

04 May 2023

Join author and Food Editor for Vogue Hong Kong Susan Jung, in conversation with author and presenter Ken Hom, to celebrate the publication of her new book Kung Pao & Beyond: Fried Chicken Recipes from East and So...
Click here

A Night in with

Kate Morton

05 May 2023

Join bestselling author Kate Morton in conversation with Alex Clark to celebrate the publication of her much-anticipated new novel, Homecoming.Jess is a journalist in search of a story. Having lived and worked ...
Click here

A Night in with

Amish Tripathi

07 May 2023

Join diplomat and the fastest selling author in Indian publishing, Amish Tripathi to celebrate the publication of his new book War of Lanka.Greed. Rage. Grief. Love. Smouldering tinder, waiting to trigger a war. But this war ...
Click here

A Night in with

Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

09 May 2023

Join the internationally bestselling author of The Mountains Sing, Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, in conversation with Sofia Akel to celebrate the publication of her eagerly awaited new novel, Dust Child.Four lives, entwi...
Click here

A Night in with

Tim Marshall

12 May 2023

Join bestselling author Tim Marshall, in conversation with Brian Clegg to celebrate the publication of his new book The Future of Geography: How Power and Politics in Space Will Change our World.Spy satellites orbit...
Click here

A Night in with

Janika Oza

21 May 2023

Join author Janika Oza to celebrate the publication of her debut novel A History of Burning.India, 1898. Pirbhai is thirteen when he steps into a dhow on the vague promise of work – his family is suffering and he will d...
Click here

In Conversation

Ravinder Bhogal and Meera Syal

25 May 2023

Join journalist, chef and restaurateur Ravinder Bhogal in conversation with Meera Syal to celebrate the publication of her new book Comfort and Joy: Irresistable Pleasures from a Vegetarian Kitchen.Ravinder Bhogal&r...
Click here

A Night in with

Josie Long

26 May 2023

Join writer and stand-up comedian Josie Long to celebrate the publication of her new book Because I Don’t Know What You Mean and What You Don’t.‘You really want to kill your dad?’, Amber says. ‘N...
Click here

Doctor in the House

Dr Amir Khan

27 May 2023

Join everyone’s favourite family doctor, Dr Amir Khan, for a fascinating, heart-warming, and frequently hilarious evening as he shares stories about growing up in his British Asian family with 5 sisters, ruled by Mama ...
Click here

A Night in with

Emma Gannon

28 May 2023

Join broadcaster, podcast host and Sunday Times bestselling author Emma Gannon, in conversation with Farrah Storr to celebrate the publication of her new book The Success Myth.What if we were told that our...