Beneath the Red Sky: A Childhood After the Fall

By Phú VÕ

This novel tells the story of Nam, a high school boy growing up in Vietnam under a strict communist regime. With his father imprisoned in the A30 reeducation camp, Nam must take on responsibilities beyond his years, caring for his blind grandmother and younger sibling while enduring a life marked by hardship and uncertainty. At school, Nam finds comfort in his friendship with Ph c. However, tragedy soon upends Ph c's life when his mother, after a prolonged illness, takes her own life. His father's remarriage only deepens his suffering, as Ph c is neglected and emotionally abandoned by his stepmother, leaving him feeling alone and displaced. United by grief and a longing for something beyond their painful realities, Nam and Ph c make a bold choice: to run away and travel north in search of Nam's imprisoned father. Their journey is filled with danger, as they confront hunger, fear, and the ever-present threat of authority. Along the way, they encounter both harshness and unexpected kindness, forcing them to grow up far too quickly. What begins as an escape becomes a deeper journey toward identity, belonging, and hope. Through Nam's perspective, the novel explores resilience, friendship, loss, and the enduring human desire for freedom and dignity.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1105452107
• ISBN13: 9781105452109
• Release Date: April 2026
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Length: 237 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.6" x 5.5"