Picture a Vietnamese-American storyteller who weaves tales of resilience and identity with prose so vivid it feels like a warm hug—meet Eric Nguyen! His debut novel, Things We Lost to the Water, has captivated readers with its heartfelt exploration of a Vietnamese refugee family in New Orleans, earning accolades from critics and a spot on Barack Obama’s summer reading list. Nguyen’s work is a beacon for immigrant narratives, blending lush storytelling with the complexities of family and belonging.
Born to Vietnamese parents who fled their homeland in the late 1970s, Nguyen’s journey as a writer is as compelling as his fiction. His ability to capture the Vietnamese-American experience has made him a rising star in contemporary literature, offering readers a window into a world both specific and universal.
The Making of Eric Nguyen
Raised in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., Eric Nguyen grew up in a home where Vietnamese culture was present but unspoken. His parents, who worked in hair salons, rarely shared stories of their lives before fleeing Vietnam, leaving Nguyen curious about his roots. This curiosity fueled his passion for writing, which he pursued through an MFA in Creative Writing at McNeese State University in Louisiana. Fellowships from Lambda Literary, Voices of Our Nation Arts, and the Tin House Writers Workshop honed his craft, setting the stage for his literary debut.
Nguyen’s time in Louisiana introduced him to New Orleans’ vibrant Vietnamese community, a discovery that became the backbone of his writing. As the editor-in-chief of diaCRITICS.org, a platform for Vietnamese diaspora voices, Nguyen deepened his connection to his heritage, using fiction to explore questions his parents left unanswered.
Eric Nguyen’s Unforgettable Stories
Nguyen’s debut novel, Things We Lost to the Water (2021), is a tour de force that spans three decades, following Huong, a Vietnamese refugee, and her sons, Tuan and Ben, as they navigate life in New Orleans. The novel’s lyrical prose and alternating perspectives create a tapestry of loss, love, and survival, with water—both literal and symbolic—threading through the narrative. Critics like Viet Thanh Nguyen praise its “unpredictable flow and surge of love,” while its depiction of Hurricane Katrina adds a haunting climax.
Beyond his novel, Nguyen is the author of La Grande Guerre, a lesser-known work that showcases his versatility. His writing style is intimate yet expansive, blending English and Vietnamese to reflect the hybrid identities of his characters. Themes of displacement, family bonds, and cultural identity resonate deeply, making his stories a vital contribution to Asian-American literature.
Nguyen’s work stands out for its emotional clarity and refusal to shy away from tough topics like trauma and assimilation. His characters grapple with the weight of history while forging their own paths, offering readers a nuanced portrait of the refugee experience.
Why Eric Nguyen Matters
Eric Nguyen’s impact lies in his ability to humanize the Vietnamese-American experience, giving voice to a community often overlooked in mainstream literature. His debut novel has been celebrated for its fresh perspective on New Orleans, a city rarely seen through the lens of its Vietnamese residents. Awards like the Crook’s Corner Book Prize and recognition from the Aspen Words Literary Prize underscore his growing influence.
Nguyen’s stories resonate with readers who see their own struggles in his characters’ journeys, whether it’s navigating identity or healing from loss. By blending personal and universal themes, he’s carving out a space for diverse voices in contemporary fiction, inspiring a new generation of writers to tell their stories.
- Birthplace: Washington, D.C. suburbs
- Key Work: Things We Lost to the Water (2021)
- Awards: Crook’s Corner Book Prize, Longlisted for Aspen Words Literary Prize
- Role: Editor-in-chief of diaCRITICS.org
Snag Things We Lost to the Water and dive into Eric Nguyen’s luminous world of family, resilience, and heart!