The Girl Before Her

The Girl Before Her is a powerful exploration of displacement and inherited trauma experienced by a child on the cusp of becoming a woman. Line Papins lyrical work of autofiction explores what it takes to embrace one's multiracial, transnational self by making peace with the generations of women who have come before.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 132 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2023
Publisher: Kaya Production,U.S.

The Girl Before Her, the captivating English-language debut by the acclaimed young French Vietnamese novelist Line Papins, delves into the profound existential anguish of displacement experienced by a child on the cusp of womanhood. At the tender age of ten, the narrator is abruptly uprooted from the vibrant chaos of Hà Nội and finds herself adrift in the unfamiliar, gray world of France. Struggling to comprehend her identity and sense of belonging in this foreign land, she grapples with a deep-seated uncertainty that permeates every aspect of her existence. Unable to find the words to express her growing sense of alienation, the narrator resorted to silence, and eventually, to the extreme act of starving herself. Hospitalized and on the brink of death due to anorexia, she reflects on the transformative power of self-discovery and the healing journey that lies ahead. Part meditation, part family history, and part message in a bottle to her younger selves, Papins lyrical work of autofiction explores the complexities of embracing one's multiracial, transnational self by finding peace with the generations of women who have come before.

Published by Ink & Blood, a groundbreaking joint imprint between Kaya Press and the Diasporic Vietnamese Artist Network (DVAN), The Girl Before Her stands as the inaugural title in their mission to bring Vietnamese literary voices from across the globe to English readers. Through this collaboration, Papins' poignant storytelling resonates with a broader audience, fostering understanding and appreciation of the diverse tapestry of experiences and perspectives found within the Vietnamese community.

Weight: 208g
Dimension: 139 x 203 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781885030832