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Linh Dinh

リン・ディン

Linh Dinh

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1963-01-01 （Saigon, South Vietnam）
Nationality
Vietnamese, American
Languages
Vietnamese, English
Residence History
Philadelphia, United States → Primarily Southeast Asia (since 2018) → Europe (periods of residence) → Africa (periods of residence)

Career

Occupations
poet, fiction writer, translator, photographer, columnist, visiting/adjunct faculty
Active Years
1990-
Affiliations
University of Pennsylvania (visiting faculty), University of Leipzig (Picador Guest Professor, Institute for American Studies), International Parliament of Writers (residency)

Education

University of East Anglia
Period: 2005（David T. K. Wong フェロー在席）
Year of Graduation: 2005
Country: United Kingdom
David T.K. Wong Fellowship resident in 2005 (fellowship/visiting). No confirmed degree record.

Awards

Pew Fellowship
1993
Organization: Pew Charitable Trusts
Result: 受賞
Balcones Fiction Prize
2010
Work: Love Like Hate
Organization: Balcones Prize Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Blood and Soap

2004 Short story collection (fiction)

A collection of stories focusing on urban life and immigrant experiences, dealing with power, violence, and quotidian absurdities.

immigrant experienceurbanityviolenceabsurdity of everyday life
Translations
  • Italian translation 'Elvis Phong è Morto'
  • Japanese translation (Hayakawa Publishing, 2008)

Fake House

2000 Short story collection (fiction)

A short-story collection portraying marginalized figures in contemporary society.

marginalizationidentitysocial critique

Love Like Hate

2010 Novel

A novel exploring the entanglements of love and hate; awarded the Balcones Fiction Prize after publication.

love and hateinterpersonal relationsviolence and ethics

Some Kind of Cheese Orgy

2009 Poetry

A collection of poems rich in metaphor and observation, marked by sharp humor and social observation.

humorsocial observationidentity

Jam Alerts

2007 Poetry

A poetry book composed of fragmentary images and rhythms, repeatedly evoking urban and travel sensations.

travelcityfragmentation

American Tatts

2005 Poetry

Poems that capture perspectives on American society.

American societyidentityimmigration

All Around What Empties Out

2003 Poetry

Poetic meditations on loss and what remains.

lossmemorythe everyday

Bibliography

  • Drunkard Boxing (poetry, 1998)
  • Fake House (stories, 2000)
  • All Around What Empties Out (poetry, 2003)
  • Blood and Soap (stories, 2004)
  • American Tatts (poetry, 2005)
  • Jam Alerts (poetry, 2007)
  • Some Kind of Cheese Orgy (poetry, 2009)
  • Love Like Hate (novel, 2010)

Translations by Author

  • Night, Fish and Charlie Parker (bilingual edition of Phan Nhiên Hạo's poetry, translated by Linh Dinh, Tupelo 2006)

Translations of Works

  • Italian translation of 'Blood and Soap' titled 'Elvis Phong è Morto'
  • Japanese translation of 'Blood and Soap' (Hayakawa Publishing, 2008)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
direct, plainspoken voiceobservational style tinged with irony and humorfragmentary, image-driven poetic expression
Recurring Motifs
migration and diasporaurban landscapesviolence in everyday lifefood imagery

Legacy

Linh Dinh is known as a Vietnamese-American poet, fiction writer, and translator whose work incisively depicts immigrant experiences and urban life. His cross-genre output and translations have made him influential in both English- and Vietnamese-language contexts; his photography and essays also contribute to his social commentary.

Trivia

  • He contributed occasionally to the Unz Review but quit over racist treatment from commenters.
  • He maintains a photo blog 'Postcards from the End' and writes essays/newsletter on Substack.
  • 'Blood and Soap' has been translated into Italian and Japanese.