Alicia kim's blog

Ru is a biographical fiction by Kim Thuy, Vietnamese-born Canadian author. The book was published in 2009 and was written in French. The book follows a young Vietnamese girl who fleed her country with her family after spending time in refugee camp. The family eventually came to Quebec, Canada, but had a hard time adjusting to the Canadian lifestyle back there. The story of Ru reflects on growth and reliance both on themselves and relationship with family.

Kim Thúy’s Ru delves deeply into themes of identity, perserverance, dislocation, and gratitude. Since Ru and her family had to leave Vietnam because of the Vietnam War, dislocation is one of the main themes. The fear and uncertainty that refugees experience are illustrated by their boat escape and time in a camp. These incidents demonstrate how easily stability can fade away. Identity is another major theme. Ru finds it difficult to adjust to Canadian life while keeping close to Vietnamese memories. This emotional journey leads to an internal struggle between remembering her origins and fitting in. The book contends that a person’s identity is influenced by both their current environment and their past experiences. The boat, which symbolizes both danger and hope, is a key symbol in the novel. Even though the trip is dangerous and terrifying, it also represents the hope for survival and a better future. Another powerful symbol is food. Traditional meals represent comfort, family, and culture, especially when the family faced times of trouble. Learning a new language at school is one of Ru’s meaningful experiences, demonstrating her determination and vulnerability. Another notable feature of Canada is the generosity of strangers, which highlights the concept of compassion and empathy for others. Overall, Ru demonstrates that people can rebuild their lives and find strength in family and memories even after experiencing trauma and loss.

Ru by Kim Thuy is a novel that explores a family of refugees that ends up adjusting to life in Canada. Ru’s internal journey and the hardships the family went through reflects on different themes, such as identity, perserverance, and gratitude. Thuy relates her own story with Ru’s, portraying the journey that many Vietnamese refugees had to suffer through after the Vietnamese War. She ends the novel in a hopeful note, spreading the message that lives can be rebuilt, and memories and family will certainly provide hope for the brighter tomorrow.