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Title/Author

The Boat

Nam Le

Average Review Rating Average Rating 7/10 (1 Review)
Book Details

Publisher : Canongate Books Ltd

Published : 2009

Copyright : Nam Le 2008

ISBN-10 : PB 1-84767-161-6
ISBN-13 : PB 978-1-84767-161-5

Publisher's Write-Up

A dazzling, emotionally riveting debut collection: the seven stories in Nam Le’s The Boat take us across the globe as he enters the hearts and minds of characters from all over the world. Whether Nam Le is conjuring the story of 14-year-old Juan, a hit man in Colombia; or an aging painter mourning the death of his much-younger lover; or a young refugee fleeing Vietnam, crammed in the ship's hold with 200 others, the result is unexpectedly moving and powerful. This is an extraordinary work of fiction that takes us to the heart of what it means to be human, and announces a writer of astonishing talent.

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Reader Reviews

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Review by Jessica (310110) Rating (7/10)

Review by Jessica
Rating 7/10
I got the feeling that the first story in this book was the author’s way of introducing himself and telling us he has been asked to write about his past and maybe even his future.

Through this collection of seven short stories, one a novella, we are taken on a journey to all corners of the earth. To Tehran, Hiroshima, South America and the South China Sea to name just a handful.

All these short stories are remarkably diverse - each ending with a very different scenario. We have a young girl who is stranded in the South China Sea, Viennese refugees on a junk, a father and daughter relationship and a partnership forged between two older women.

It’s not easy for readers to unanimously agree on a favourite story in this collection. Each story is so unique and everyone has their own tastes. Nobody could accuse Nam Le of being typical and boring - he writes with such creativity and provides us with stories to savour. Readers will want to read each story again and again…and then some.

For me personally Tehran Calling was one of my favourites. A young woman named Sarah is waiting in a cabin. There she meets a man who claims he is a friend of Parvin. To say more would give this away but readers must read this story. It is full of imagery and is short and sweet.

A lovely story collection for those of you who want something a little different.
Jessica (31st January 2010)

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