Wandering Souls

More about the book

This debut novel tells the story of three Vietnamese siblings—Anh, Thanh, and Minh—who embark on a perilous journey to Hong Kong after the last American troops leave Vietnam, believing their family will soon reunite. Tragedy strikes, leaving sixteen-year-old Anh as the caretaker for her younger brothers. The trio eventually resettles in the UK, navigating their new identities as refugees amid overcrowded camps and a modernizing London rife with social inequality and anti-immigrant sentiment. Anh works in a clothing factory to support them, while Minh spends time with unemployed peers and Thanh plays soccer with British friends. As they grow, each sibling grapples with survivor's guilt and the absence of their parents, leading to diverging paths that challenge their bond. The narrative weaves together lyrical storytelling, historical context, and voices from lost family members, all while an unnamed narrator seeks to chart their fate. This poignant exploration of war, loss, and the relentless pursuit of a better future affirms the importance of claiming one’s own story, establishing Cecile Pin as a compelling new literary voice.