Yep, dark settings needed for discussing "The Sorrow of War". When it was first released, it was called "The Sorrow of War", then the governement only sanctioned it if it was called "The Fortune of Love"...which it was called for 10 years...Only recently was it allowed to be republished as "The Sorrow of War". Interesting times we live in...Vietnam is going, and has been going, through so much transition. Before meeting Bao Ninh, in Thay Minh's class we heard this: Thay Minh: "You know, This novel in Vietnam is not so Welcome"... and earlier in the day Chi Ngan said "Yeah...no one in Vietnam likes that book". Its interesting because, although the international community seems to regard Bao Ninh as a prolific and amazing writer, people in Vietnam are not so accepting. Yet, the only reason I can find is that the book is multi-faceted. The novel sheds light on the fact that war is not clean-cut. Yes, Vietnam won the war, but at what price??? It is a Northern Vietnamese person's account of the war, yet, it does not describe the victory as some glorious achievement. And that is why I believe it is not accepted. Not because Bao Ninh is less talented than other writers...but because he says things that others do not want to hear...that maybe 3 million Vietnamese lives were not worth it, especially insomuch as it didn't even create democracy here. Bao Ninh loves Vietnam, which was apparent by our discussion today, but Vietnam does not seem to love him, just because he does not sing praises upon praises on the war. Its so interesting...I wish I could convey how amazing this night was...listening to a world renound author talk about his controversial novel... but as he said.."the type of forum we are now having, sitting around in a circle talking...this would have been completely impossible 10 years ago"...so all I can say is that I hope ten more years will bring even more freedom to the Vietnamese people.
posted by Steffanie @ 12:10 PM
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