Picture a Vietnamese-American storyteller who spun a multigenerational saga from the vibrant streets of New Orleans—meet E.M. Tran! This rising literary star has captivated readers with her debut novel, Daughters of the New Year, a heartfelt exploration of identity, family, and the Vietnamese diaspora. With a voice that’s both poetic and piercing, Tran’s work invites you into a world where history and heritage collide.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Tran’s storytelling is deeply rooted in her cultural background and the city’s rich, complex tapestry. Her ability to weave personal and universal themes has earned her praise from outlets like The New York Times and Marie Claire, marking her as a fresh voice in contemporary fiction.
The Making of E.M. Tran
Elizabeth M. Tran grew up in a Vietnamese-American family in New Orleans, the daughter of Thai Tran, a former South Vietnamese military official turned biomedical engineer, and Loan Kim Ta, a grocery store owner with a passion for literature. Surrounded by her father’s writings in Vietnamese and her mother’s community-driven spirit, Tran developed an early love for stories. She pursued this passion at Louisiana State University, later earning an MFA from the University of Mississippi and a PhD in Creative Writing from Ohio University. These academic milestones honed her craft, allowing her to explore the ‘weird’ and authentic stories she wanted to tell, free from external expectations.
E.M. Tran’s Unforgettable Stories
Tran’s debut novel, Daughters of the New Year (2022), is a stunning exploration of a Vietnamese-American family across generations. Set in New Orleans, the story follows the Trung sisters—Trac, Nhi, and Trieu—and their mother, Xuan, a former beauty queen who fled Saigon after its fall. The novel’s non-linear structure, moving backward from 2016 to ancient Vietnam, captures the cyclical nature of trauma and resilience. Tran’s lyrical prose and vivid characters, like Xuan with her zodiac obsession, highlight themes of assimilation, motherhood, and cultural loss.
Beyond her novel, Tran’s creative nonfiction shines in essays like ‘Miss Saigon,’ which won the Prairie Schooner Summer Nonfiction Prize and a Glenna Luschei Award in 2016. Published in outlets like Joyland and Harvard Review Online, her essays blend humor and insight, unpacking the complexities of Vietnamese-American identity. Her reviews and short stories further showcase her versatility, earning her a spot as a notable voice in literary circles.
Tran’s style is intimate yet epic, blending historical scope with personal stakes. She draws inspiration from authors like Julia Alvarez and Toni Morrison, crafting narratives that celebrate the joy and pain of marginalized communities. Her focus on Vietnamese culture—food, zodiac traditions, and the lingering effects of war—creates a multisensory reading experience.
Why E.M. Tran Matters
E.M. Tran’s work resonates because it reclaims and reimagines the Vietnamese-American narrative. By centering women’s voices, from modern-day New Orleans to colonial Vietnam, she bridges generational gaps and challenges stereotypes. Her debut has been hailed as a ‘complex meditation on history and memory’ by Booklist, offering readers a fresh perspective on the immigrant experience. Tran’s ability to balance humor with trauma, as seen in her portrayal of Hurricane Katrina’s impact, makes her stories both accessible and profound.
As a Vietnamese-American writer, Tran contributes to a growing canon of diasporic literature, alongside authors like Viet Thanh Nguyen and Ocean Vuong. Her work not only entertains but also educates, inviting readers to explore the intersections of culture, identity, and resilience. For those seeking stories that linger, Tran is a must-read.
- Born: New Orleans, Louisiana
- Key Work: Daughters of the New Year (2022)
- Awards: Prairie Schooner Summer Nonfiction Prize, Glenna Luschei Award
- Education: MFA (University of Mississippi), PhD (Ohio University)
Ready to dive into a world of vibrant characters and rich history? Grab Daughters of the New Year and let E.M. Tran’s storytelling sweep you away!