Author: Khanh Ha

An expansive and captivating look at the lives of the people of Vietnam during a time of unimaginable upheaval.

A Mother's Tale and Other Stories, by Khanh Ha is the type of deeply atmospheric book of short stories that sets the bar higher for writers everywhere. In the nearly half-century since the Vietnam war ended, many stories from that time have been forgotten—particularly stories from Vietnamese people.

The stories in this collection are fictional, but the emotions are real. Some of the stories are heartbreaking, some are uplifting, and all provide a perspective on the war that is both fascinating and eye-opening.

Ha's writing is remarkable. His ability to perfectly capture emotion, and use the environment to portray a character's inner thoughts and feelings make the stories come across as rich and lush as the jungles of Vietnam, itself.

One of my favorites, 'A Mother's Tale,' told the story of an American woman, Mrs. Rossi, who decides to travel to Vietnam herself, years after the war ends. Her goal is to recover the body of her fallen son. The woman enlists the help of a local man named Giang to guide her around the village where she believes her son was killed. The story is told from the perspective of Giang, who observes Mrs. Rossi's palpable grief even years after her son has passed. This short story is also a feature length novel titled ‘Mrs. Rossi’s Dream.’ This story, along with all of the others, made this a five-star book for me.

A collection like this is one in a million, and one that should be read by anyone who enjoys literary short stories. The trauma of something like a war can effect and shape a country for generations to come, and Khanh Ha portrays this in a way that is both realistic and moving.

This short story collection is a snapshot of the life of a country that has suffered, and whose people are still as strong as ever. I have read and love all of Khanh Ha’s novels and now, this short story collection, with the exception of his first novel from 2000.  I was hooked from his first book, ‘Flesh’. I cannot recommend him highly enough for literary fiction and multi-cultural literature fans! If you do not normally enjoy short stories, I dare you to try ‘A Mother’s Tale and Other Stories.  I think you will be convinced he really has the artistry to make his stories feel complete.

About Khanh Ha

Khanh Ha is the author of Flesh, The Demon Who Peddled Longing, and Mrs. Rossi’s Dream. He is a seven-time Pushcart nominee, finalist for the Mary McCarthy Prize, Many Voices Project, Prairie Schooner Book Prize, and The University of New Orleans Press Lab Prize.

He is the recipient of the Sand Hills Prize for Best Fiction, the Robert Watson Literary Prize in Fiction, and the Orison Anthology Award for Fiction. Mrs. Rossi’s Dream, was named Best New Book by Booklist and a 2019 Foreword Reviews INDIES Silver Winner and Bronze Winner. 

A Mother’s Tale & Other Stories has already won the C&R Press Fiction Prize.

Follow Here to Read an Interview with Khanh Ha