Simple, clear writing explores the complex loneliness of women.

Her debut novel, “Made in Vietnam,” was critically and commercially successful.

She went on to release Pho Tau (Chinatown), a first-person account of a person’s reminiscences on a two hour train journey that travels back into eventful adolescence and adulthood.

Her following novel, Paris 11 thang 8 (Paris August 11) was awarded a prize by the Vietnam Writers’ Association in 2005.

Another of her books, T mat tich (T’s gone missing) is considered by many as a jump in style and content.

The novel begins with the disappearance of T, which leads to startling revelations by T’s husband about himself, his marital life, family, friends and the society he lives in.

Thuan’s latest book, Van Vy, another success, intertwines two stories, that of B, an HIV-infected homosexual, who resigns from the post of a (court) judge and embarks on a writing career; and Vy, a Hanoi girl who marries an overseas Vietnamese to please her family.

Not based on love, the marriage plunges Vy into excruciating loneliness and depression far away from her home country. Her heart yearns for true love outside her marriage though she doesn’t mean to be unfaithful to her husband.

She keeps searching until she meets Van, a lonely person living far away from his home country. They love each other passionately and overcome obstacles that come their way to cherish that love.

All of Thuan’s novels have been published in Vietnam.

Much of Thuan’s writing sheds light on the fates of expatriates who live within different cultures - the inferiority complexes, deep-rooted racial and social prejudices they suffer and face.

Some cannot be who they aspire to be, as they have to live up to others’ expectations.

Paris, whose imposing high-rises are juxtaposed with its dilapidated quarters, provides a backdrop for several of Thuan’s books. Most of her characters are poor expatriates who live in the city’s poverty-stricken quarters.

Poor as they are, material comfort is not their main concern. T’s husband in T mat tich is not wealthy, and cares much more about his wife’s disappearance than his large inheritance.

Lien in Paris 11 thang 8 stays in France not to make money but to search for her true love.

Her birthplace Hanoi, as it is today and used to be in yesteryears, Vietnam, and reminiscences are common threads running through her tapestry.

Steeped in memories, some characters find it hard to integrate with life in guest countries.

The protagonists in Pho Tau and many other works are women of few words who stay away from crowds.

The more they try to get out of their unbearable loneliness, the more they are stuck in it.

However, there are moments when their long-suppressed emotions and yearnings awake and they live true to themselves. They tirelessly fight for their right to live happily and love with all their heart.

Most of Thuan’s novels don’t end on a cheerful note, but the endings aren’t too tragic or pitiful either, and the underlying values are deeply humanitarian.

Thuan has a unique way to name her characters, which she says best inspires her and portrays them – they are known only by one letter, like T, B, V and N.

Thuan’s books seem to have increasing levels of sexuality, with Van Vy probably having the highest concentration.

“I take an open, outspoken approach to sex. Just like any other issue like politics or war, sex, a tempting, fertile piece of soil, needs to be truthfully and vividly described,” says Thuan.

Thuan, whose full name is Doan Anh Thuan, graduated from the Pyatigorsk State Linguistic University in Russia and obtained a master’s degree from France’s prestigious Sorbonne University.

Apart from novels, she also writes short stories and essays. The 41-year-old, who is the daughter-in-law of celebrated late poet Tran Dan, lives in France with her husband, painter Tran Trong Vu.

Reported by Cat Khue