Thien Pham Launch for Graphic Memoir "Family Style"

Author/Illustrator THIEN PHAM launches his new young adult graphic memoir Family Style : Memories of an American from Vietnam on Tuesday, June 20 at 7pm. Originally posted on Instagram, the story details the author's childhood immigration to America with his family, through the lens of particularly meaningful food and meals. Thien will be joined in conversation by acclaimed author/illustrator GENE LUEN YANG and will sign copies at the event.

This is a free event, but you must register online at Eventbrite or contact us in the store prior to the event.

Thien's first memory isn't a sight or a sound. It's the sweetness of watermelon and the saltiness of fish. It's the taste of the foods he ate while adrift at sea as his family fled Vietnam.

After the Pham family arrives at a refugee camp in Thailand, they struggle to survive. Things don't get much easier once they resettle in California. And through each chapter of their lives, food takes on a new meaning. Strawberries come to signify struggle as Thien's mom and dad look for work. Potato chips are an indulgence that bring Thien so much joy that they become a necessity.

Behind every cut of steak and inside every croissant lies a story. And for Thien Pham, that story is about a search—for belonging, for happiness, for the American dream.

THIEN PHAM is a graphic novelist, comic artist, and educator based in Oakland, CA. He is the author and illustrator of the graphic memoir Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam.novel Sumo and did the art for the middle-grade graphic novel Level Up, written by Gene Luen Yang. He is an ongoing comic contributor to EaterSF and as such eats. A lot. Follow Thien on Instagram at @thiendog .

GENE LUEN YANG writes, and sometimes draws, comic books and graphic novels. He was named a National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress in 2016, and advocates for the importance of reading, especially reading diversely. His graphic novel American Born Chinese, a National Book Award finalist and Printz Award winner, has been adapted into a streaming series. His two-volume graphic novel Boxers & Saints won the LA Times Book Prize and was a National Book Award Finalist. His nonfiction graphic novel, Dragon Hoops, received an Eisner award and a Printz honor.

THIS EVENT is free but pre-registration is required. Registration ends at 4:30 pm on June 20th.

BECAUSE SEATING is limited, please register only if you plan to attend.

DUE TO SPACE limitations, we may not be able to accommodate every person at an event, so early registration is encouraged.

WALK-INS will be accommodated only if space allows.

WE ASK that attendees arrive between 6:45 and 7:00 PM for the event.

PLEASE leave your non-support companion animals at home.

OUR shared restrooms are not accessible after 6:30 PM, please plan accordingly.

Tuesday, June 20, 2023 - 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Event address: 
Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore
2904 College Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94705
Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam By Thien Pham Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250809728
Availability: Most titles are on our shelves or available within 1-5 days.
Published: First Second - June 20th, 2023