The Frangipani Hotel

In her compelling debut collection, The Frangipani Hotel, Violet Kupersmith weaves together ghost stories that explore the enduring legacy of the Vietnam War through the lens of contemporary Vietnamese culture. Featuring a cast of vivid characters—from a young woman found in a bathtub to a plump teenager navigating her heritage—these tales intricately blend the supernatural with everyday experiences. Drawing inspiration from traditional Vietnamese folk tales passed down from her grandmother, Kupersmith's lyrical narratives delve into themes of immigration, loss, and identity, creating a haunting tapestry that resonates long after the stories are told.