NGUYEN: Gift from Humanities Council

The Idaho Humanities Council presented a stellar event Friday night featuring Viet Thanh Nguyen, author, professor, and Pulitzer Prize winner, who came to the U.S. at age 4 as a refugee. He and his brother were separated from his parents upon arrival, a searing moment that, he told the audience, scarred him for life.

He has taken his experiences to create literature, to inspire through his teaching, and to share his knowledge and empathy for refugees, immigrants, and others who speak out but are not heard. This event was the highlight of my year, and I thank the Council for bringing such a gifted, intelligent, provocative and humorous speaker to North Idaho.

SUZANNE MARSHALL

Coeur d’Alene