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| Vietnamese-French writer Doan Bui sharing her thoughts at the event |
Born in 1976, Doan Bui is currently a reporter for Le Nouvel Obs, one of France's respected news magazines. In addition to her journalism, she writes literary works for both children and adults, scripts for graphic novels, plays the piano, and develops performances combining literature and music. In 2013, she received the Albert Londres Prize. Her debut novel, La Tour (2022), also attracted attention in literary circles.
Before Le Monde de nulle part, Doan Bui's work My Father's Silence was translated into Vietnamese in 2018. Her latest novel, which was shortlisted for the Prix Femina, a prestigious French literary award, has now been introduced to Vietnamese readers by Kim Dong Publishing House.
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| The book ‘Le Monde de nulle par’ being introduced to readers at the event |
‘Le Monde de nulle part’ delves into the loss and grief experienced by mothers following the death of a child, as well as their journey toward confronting emotional trauma. The work creates a fictional realm called the Le Monde de nulle part, where lost children never grow up. Beginning with the story of a baby who dies at just 15 days old, the author explores the lives of mothers who must live with the pain of losing a child, their feelings of helplessness, and wounds that are difficult to put into words.
Through a style that interweaves personal narrative, poetic expression and self-deprecating humor, the writer places intimate experiences in the broader context of the suffering shared by many people. The tragedy is not told in a single, uniform tone, but instead moves between pain and laughter, personal emotions and a wider sense of empathy surrounding motherhood, loss and human resilience.
At the event, readers had the opportunity to learn about the book's development, Doan Bui's writing journey and the issues explored in the novel. Through discussions with the author and guest speakers, ‘Le Monde de Nulle part’ also opened up conversations about how literature can approach experiences that are difficult to express, helping writers confront grief while creating space for readers to find understanding and solidarity.
The release of the Vietnamese translation of ‘Le Monde de Nulle part’ brings the work of a Vietnamese-French writer closer to readers in Vietnam, offering another perspective on literature's ability to connect people.