In this dazzling collection, Nam Le takes us across the globe as he enters the hearts and minds of characters from all over the world. Whether it's the story of fourteen-year-old Juan, a hit man in Colombia; an ageing painter in New York mourning the death of his much-younger lover; or a young refugee fleeing Vietnam, crammed in the ship's hold with two hundred 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.

About the Author

Nam Le was born in Vietnam and raised in Australia. He has received the Dylan Thomas Prize, the Pushcart Prize and the Michener-Copernicus Society of America Award, and fellowships from the Iowa Writers' Workshop, the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown and Phillips Exeter Academy. His fiction has been appeared in Best Australian Stories, Best New American Voices, A Public Space, NPR's Selected Shorts and more.

namleonline.com

Reviews
The short story collection is constantly on the endangered list, but this stunning collection . . . shows that it is alive and in the best of health * * The Times * *
A superb collection, brimming with humour and compassion * * Daily Telegraph * *
Nam Le's lyricism and emotional urgency lend his portraits enormous visceral power . . . A remarkable collection * * New York Times * *
Each voice is achingly present and authentic . . . ['Halflead Bay'] is as good as anything Tim Winton has produced about Australian society * * Guardian * *
A breathtakingly assured collection of stories - powerful, moving, unsparingly honest - exhibiting a narrative confidence and range that is as remarkable as it is mature. A tremendous debut -- WILLIAM BOYD
An assured and tremendously readable collection from a young writer with rare scope and strength * * Observer * *
These are people on the edge, and Nam's prose captures their desperation . . . bold and worthwhile. Memoirists should stick to what they know; the point of literature is to expand the limits of the world -- Aravind Adiga * * Financial Times * *
Le has the ability to hit notes of real emotional intensity -- Hari Kunzru * * Scotsman * *
A promising and fiercely talented writer * * Telegraph * *
Wonderful stories that snarl and pant across our crazed world . . . an extraordinary performance by a fine new talent. Nam Le is a heartbreaker, not easily forgotten -- JUNOT DIAZ


Awards
Winner of Dylan Thomas Prize 2008 (UK). Long-listed for Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award 2008 (Ireland).



Book Information
ISBN 9781786898630
Author Nam Le
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Canongate Canons
Publisher Canongate Books
Weight(grams) 195g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 18mm