Fake House, the first collection of short stories by poet Linh Dinh, explores the weird, atrocious, fond, and ongoing intimacies between Vietnam and the United States. Linked by a complicated past, the characters are driven by an intense and angry energy. The politics of race and sex anchor Dinh'...
He broke the ice by buying half a kilo of climbing perches. Haggling, he bantered, “You’re a tough one, aren’t you?” which made both of them blush, his face turning nearly black. Then he said, “What is your name?” “Yes?” “I said, what is your name?” “Just call me ‘fishmonger.’ ” “You’re a funny o...
Male, 22, 5-5, 115 lbs. Dark. Bad teeth. Does odd jobs for money. Crawled into the sewer a few days ago. If made 20,000 in the morning, will spend 4,000 on noodles in the afternoon then gamble away the rest. When eighteen, molested a five-year-old girl. Ly Lan. Female, 23, 5-6, 124 lbs. Wears pad...