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How to Pronounce Knife

Winner of the 2020 Scotiabank Giller Prize
By Souvankham Thammavongsa
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3.83 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 19,847 ratings, 2,831 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
How to Pronounce Knife is a collection of short stories exploring the experiences of Lao immigrants and refugees as they navigate life in North America. Through everyday encounters and moments of profound introspection, the tales depict themes of identity, belonging, and the quiet resilience of individuals seeking a voice and place in a new world. Each story presents a richly detailed character study, highlighting the nuanced complexities of cultural integration and the search for connection.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy poignant, insightful stories about the immigrant experience. It offers a collection of short stories that explore themes of identity, cultural disconnection, and the everyday challenges faced by those navigating new worlds while preserving their heritage. If you're drawn to nuanced characters and heartfelt narratives, this book is likely to resonate with you.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

WINNER OF THE SCOTIABANK GILLER PRIZE

‘Spellbinding’ i
‘Breathtaking’ Elle
‘Powerhouses of feeling and depth’ Mary Gaitskill
‘Sharp and vital’ Daisy Johnson
‘Excellent’ Margaret Atwood on Twitter

An ex-boxer turned nail salon worker falls for a pair of immaculate hands; a mother and daughter harvest earthworms in the middle of the night; a country music-obsessed housewife abandons her family for fantasy; and a young girl's love for her father transcends language.

In this stunning debut, Souvankham Thammavongsa captures the day-to-day lives of immigrants and refugees in a nameless city, illuminating hopes, disappointments, love affairs, and above all, the pursuit of a place to belong.

'There is not a moment off in these affecting stories' Sheila Heti

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Souvankham Thammavongsa's debut collection, How to Pronounce Knife, has garnered praise for its striking writing and powerful insights into the lives of immigrants and refugees. Critics admire the stories for their blend of simplicity and sophistication, capturing themes of alienation, dislocation, and the immigrant experience with emotional depth. The narratives are noted for their sharpness and the way they skilfully dissect societal issues like racism and classism while maintaining a gentle, humorous edge that engages readers throughout.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781526610454

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 18 March 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 14.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 144g

Pages: 192

Collections

Education & Reference Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Souvankham Thammavongsa

About the Author

Souvankham Thammavongsa was born in the Lao refugee camp in Nong Khai, Thailand in 1978 and was raised and educated in Toronto. She is an award-winning author of four poetry books. Her stories have won an O. Henry Prize, been shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, and have appeared in Granta, Harper’s and the Paris Review among other publications. How to Pronounce Knife is her debut short story collection.

souvankham-thammavongsa.com

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