About the Book
English title: Brothers and Ghosts
ISBN: 978-3-442-75802-9
304 pages
September 2021
btb Verlag

English sample translation available / Vietnamese sample available soon
Selected by New Books in German
Rights sold to: Iran (Hezar-e Qoqnoos)

Synopsis
She is 30 years old and her name is Kieu, like the girl in the most famous work of Vietnamese literature. But she prefers to go by "Kim" because it's easier in Berlin. In 1968, her parents had come to Germany from Saigon. She often wished for a family that didn't have to become German first, but simply was. The loss of her Vietnamese roots has never bothered her. On the contrary. Until she receives a message. On Facebook. From her uncle. Who has been living in California since he fled.
The whole family is supposed to meet for the reading of Kieu's grandmother's will. Kieu does not know these people. To her, the uncles and aunts are as unreal as the spirits of departed ancestors for whom her parents light a few incense sticks on Vietnamese New Year. It becomes a journey full of revelations – about her family, her origins and about herself.

Praise
"A groundbreaking work in German literature, Phams novel marks a seminal accomplishment that tells the dignified, thorough, and epic story of a Vietnamese family through clear, gem-like sentences and unflinching observations. With Pham’s vision, nothing is left unturned and all things are salvaged and lost at once. A courageous and bold achievement by a bright new voice." Ocean Vuong

“One of the most touching aspects of this excellent debut is seeing how Kim’s attitude to her origins slowly changes. […] A wonderful read.” Der Tagesspiegel

“What Phạm has to say about transgenerational trauma, losing your home and working out who you really are bears comparison to [...] Saša Stanišić.” Deutschlandfunk Kultur "Lesart"

About the author
Khuê Phạm is an award-winning Vietnamese-German writer. A graduate from the LSE, she has contributed to the Guardian and NPR before becoming an editor at the renowned German weekly 'Die ZEIT'. Interested in pop culture and politics, she has interviewed Anna Wintour, but has also co-written an investigation into the Essex lorry deaths, that earned her the nomination for Germany's version of the Pulitzer Prize. In 2012, she co-wrote a non-fiction book about second generation immigrants in Germany. In 2021, she published her first novel "Brothers and Ghosts", which is inspired by the story of her Vietnamese family. More at khuepham.de/english

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