School of Academic and Liberal Studies faculty member Phuong (Amy) Hoang is adding a new title beside her name – published author. The mathematics professor, who has been at Niagara College for over 23 years, published her first novel called Anchorless in December 2019.
Anchorless, which received a Canada Book Award, follows the journey of a man escaping war-torn Vietnam in 1985 with his wife and three youngest children, hoping to reunite with his six older children who had already fled to freedom in Canada. While on a boat to cross the ocean that stood between them and the rest of their family, the man and his youngest daughter drowned when the ship went down. Stuck between life and death, the man’s ghost kept watch over his wife and two children as they grieved their loss but continued their journey to freedom.
This story is a personal one for Hoang – the man in the story was her father. Hoang started writing the novel in 2013 to keep the memory of her father and sister alive.
“I wrote the book to find closure and acceptance over the deaths of my father and sister, I wanted to heal my lifelong grief,” said Hoang. “I also wanted my children and the next generation of Hoangs to learn about their roots.”
Completing and releasing the novel was a proud moment for Hoang, who jokes that she never thought she would write anything other than math textbooks, especially since English is her second language. She used the pen name Jolie P. Hoang, as a tribute to her father who gave her the nickname Jolie. She is currently working on writing another novel.
The book is available in paperback, hardcover and as an e-book through a variety of retailers such as Amazon, Indigo and Kobo. Information about where to purchase the book can be found on Hoang’s website. Hoang has two book signing events in May and June.
Tune into 4680q.ca radio on Saturday, March 14 at 4 p.m. to hear Hoang’s interview on Fika with Vicky.
Book Signing Events
- Saturday, May 23 from 1 – 4 p.m. at Chapters-Indigo, Fairview Mall, 285 Geneva St., St. Catharines
- Saturday, June 6 from 12 – 5 p.m. at Chapters-Indigo, Heritage Greene Shopping Centre, 1783 Stone Church Rd. E, Stoney Creek
