Exploring Family Roots: A Journalist"s Journey from Berlin to Vietnam

Khuê Phạm's debut novel, published in Germany in 2021, explores the complexities of the Vietnamese diaspora through the lens of a young journalist named Kiều. Her parents emigrated from South Vietnam in 1968, and a message from an estranged uncle in the U.S. prompts her to delve into her family's history. The narrative intertwines Kiều's life with that of her parents and her uncle, illustrating the impact of the Vietnam War on their identities and experiences. The novel is notable for its exploration of themes such as nation, identity, gender, and sexuality, reflecting the ongoing struggles faced by immigrants. Kiều, who comes from an upper-middle-class background, grapples with her cultural identity and the expectations placed upon her by her family. Her reluctance to embrace her birth name symbolizes a broader conflict between her heritage and her desire for assimilation into German society. Phạm's narrative style employs a distancing approach, allowing readers to engage with the historical context of the Vietnam War while also examining personal and familial relationships. The story reveals the emotional distance that can arise from geographical separation, as Kiều reflects on her grandmother's death and the complexities of familial loyalty. Ultimately, the novel serves as a poignant exploration of the immigrant experience, highlighting the challenges of reconciling one's past with the present. It underscores the notion that understanding history often requires a relinquishing of familial allegiances, as characters navigate their identities amidst the legacies of war and displacement.