Born in Saigon in 1968, at the age of ten KIM THÚY fled Vietnam with the boat people and settled in Quebec with her family. In addition to becoming a writer, she has earned degrees in translation and law and has worked as a seamstress, interpreter, lawyer, and restaurant owner. Her books have been published around the world, and an acclaimed film based on Ru premiered in 2023. She has received many awards, including the Governor General's Literary Award. In 2023 she was awarded the title of Chevalière de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France. Kim Thúy lives in the Greater Montreal area and devotes herself to writing.

SHEILA FISCHMAN is the award-winning translator of some 200 contemporary novels from Quebec. In 2008 she was awarded the Molson Prize in the Arts. She is a Member of the Order of Canada and a chevalier of the Ordre national du Québec. She lives in Montreal.