Most recently, he taught Latin, Greek, and German at the Waynflete School in Portland, Maine. He taught Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit in New York at the Collegiate School and was an instructor at Brooklyn College’s Summer Latin Institute. Tran graduated Bard College in 1995 with a BA in Classics and received the Callanan Classics Prize. Phuc Tran (Portland, Maine) has been a high school Latin teacher for more than twenty years while also simultaneously establishing himself as a highly sought-after tattooer in the Northeast. In his journey for self-discovery Tran ultimately finds refuge and inspiration in the art that shapes-and ultimately saves-him.

Against the hairspray-and-synthesizer backdrop of the ‘80s, he finds solace and kinship in the wisdom of classic literature, and in the subculture of punk rock, he finds affirmation and echoes of his disaffection. In this coming-of-age memoir told through the themes of great books such as The Metamorphosis, The Scarlet Letter, The Iliad, and more, Tran navigates the push and pull of finding and accepting himself despite the challenges of immigration, feelings of isolation, and teenage rebellion, all while attempting to meet the rigid expectations set by his immigrant parents.įor anyone who has ever felt like they don’t belong, Sigh, Gone shares an irreverent, funny, and moving tale of displacement and assimilation woven together with poignant themes from beloved works of classic literature. Appealing to fans of coming-of-age memoirs such as Fresh Off the Boat, Running with Scissors, or tales of assimilation like Viet Thanh Nguyen’s The Displaced and The Refugees, Sigh, Gone explores one man’s bewildering experiences of abuse, racism, and tragedy and reveals redemption and connection in books and punk rock. By sheer chance they land in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, a small town where the Trans struggle to assimilate into their new life. In 1975, during the fall of Saigon, Phuc Tran immigrates to America along with his family. “Arrive” on time and be sure to pre-order your signed copy from PRINT: A Bookstore. In addition to select readings and a Q&A with the author, viewers can expect a few twists and theatrical happenings during the 60-minute event. The private, Zoom link will be sent ahead of the event to those who reserve their place in advance.Įchoing his relationship to punk rock in Sigh, Gone, author Phuc Tran and his team plan to infuse this virtual book launch with humor and outside-the-box playfulness.

If you are interested in attending, please fill out this RSVP link above. While so many events have necessarily been canceled or postponed this spring due to COVID-19, we are pleased to announce that this event is NOT postponed.

Sigh, Gone by Phuc Tran