‘Ru’ by Montreal’s Kim Thuy wins CBC’s ‘Canada Reads’ competition

TORONTO – “Ru” by Montreal-based author Kim Thuy has won CBC’s “Canada Reads” competition.

The Governor General’s Award-winning novel, about a Vietnamese girl adjusting to a new life in Quebec, is translated by Sheila Fischman.

Cameron Bailey, artistic director of the Toronto International Film Festival, supported the book during this week’s debates.

He beat out four other Canadian personalities who were each defending a book in the 14th annual contest on CBC’s radio, TV and online platforms.

The runner-up was “When Everything Feels like the Movies” by Raziel Reid.

Celebrity gossip blogger and “The Social” co-host Elaine Lui defended the book, which was the first-ever young adult title in “Canada Reads.”

The theme of this year’s contest, hosted by Wab Kinew, was “One Book To Break Barriers.”