(Released in Vietnamnews on 14-11-2009)

 
HA NOI — Detective and horror-story writer Di Li has brought out a new book called Dao Thien Duong (Heaven Island).

The book was launched at a press conference at the Goethe Institute in Ha Noi on Thursday.

Dao Thien Duong is an anthology of short stories set in 30 locations around the world such as Bali, Siem Reap, Seoul, Paris, Amsterdam and Saint Petersburg that have been written by Di Li during her travels over the last 10 years.

Literary critic Pham Xuan Nguyen said Di Li typified the confident well-travelled younger generation of Vietnamese people.

"The book shows her to be a thoughtful writer and an energetic journalist. She has travelled more widely than any other Vietnamese writer of her generation," he said.

Di Li, whose real name is Nguyen Dieu Linh, was born in 1978. As well as being a writer, she teaches English at the Ha Noi College of Trade and Tourism.

She has in the last five years published Trai Hoa Do (Red Flower Farm) and a number of short story collection, such as Tang Thu Nhat (First Floor), Dieu Valse Dia Nguc (Waltz of Hell) and 7 Ngay Tren Sa Mac (Seven Days in the Desert).

The 300-page book is being brought out by the Cong An Nhan Dan (People’s Public Security) Publishing House and the Phuong Dong Company. — VNS