Huy Can & Nguyen Xuan Sanh Buy Books on Loan
literary Lives: How Books Shaped Vietnamese Writers
Table of Contents
- literary Lives: How Books Shaped Vietnamese Writers
- Literary Lives: How books Shaped Vietnamese Writers
- What Role Did Reading Play in the Lives of Vietnamese Writers?
- How Did Vu Ngoc Phan’s Reading Preferences influence His Writing?
- How Did Books Inspire the Poetry of Luu Trong Lu?
- How Did Books Shape the Early Lives of Huy Can and Nguyen Xuan Sanh?
- How Did Phan Van Hum expand His Reading Horizons?
- Book Comparisons: A Summary
- How Early Did This Love of Reading Begin?
- Conclusion
”Read books to discover life or find your own picture in it,” artist Ta Ty wrote in “Ten Faces of Literature and Art.” The sentiment rings true for many Vietnamese writers, whose formative years were deeply influenced by a love of reading.
Vu Ngoc Phan’s Early Fascination with Chinese Novels
Thu Giang Nguyen Duy Can, in “I Learned Myself,” summarized the advantages of reading. This holds true for many who consider books their closest companions. “Books help us to think and show us that we do not have to waste time to search for things that have found the other,” Can wrote. “This saves us senseless time. We have to use our energy to search for further things, have found others, and so create clarity.”
Poets Huy can and Nguyen Xuan Sanh, both members of the Xuan Thu nha tap group, shared a passion for books while students at the Hue National School.Nguyen Xuan Sanh recalled in “beloved Faces” that books and newspapers were available in Mr. Duong’s library and at a friend’s house, but “the best and most popular is still the Huong Giang of Mr.and Ms. Hai Trieu.”
“Thursdays and Sundays Huy Can and I often ran across to visit his bookstore. At many evenings, we also sneaked out of school to stop by and watch the new books for a moment,” Nguyen Xuan sanh said. The two students not only frequented the Huong Giang bookstore but also received books on socialism from Hai Trieu. They were even able to buy books on credit, paying at the end of the month. “Huy Can and I bought books in masses and even went on a loan until the end of the month to Ms. Tuyen [Hai Trieus Frau] To be able to pay,” Nguyen Xuan Sanh recalled.
Writer and literary critic Vu Ngoc Phan was also a dedicated reader. In his memoirs, “Those Years,” Vu Ngoc Phan confessed to a youthful fondness for Chinese novels, which significantly influenced his life and writing. He also explored western literature, including La Fontaine’s fables and works by Balzac, alongside Vietnamese classics like Truyen Kieu.
Novelist Tung Long, known for series such as “The Dream Tower” and “Love and Honor,” traced her literary beginnings to her father’s bookshelf. “Since my childhood I have been living with books, poems and literature,” Tung Long wrote in her memoirs, “Writing is my eternal joy.” She recalled stories like “Rebirth Fate” and “Chieu Quan Tribute to Ho” being deeply ingrained in her childhood memories.
Luu Trong lu’s Fascination with Poetry
The poet Luu Trong Lu is often associated with the poem “autumn Sounds.” To create such enduring works, Luu Trong Lu acquired foundational knowledge early in life. His memoirs, “Awakening at Midnight,” reveal that he regularly visited the central library on Truong Thi Street during his studies, where he immersed himself in the works of Dostoyevsky and the poetry of Omar Khayyam.
Later in life, as he turned to poetry and revolutionary activities, Luu trong Lu credited “the ‘Marxist’ bookcase of the Viet Minh in central Vietnam, which were evacuated together in the war zone,” as a key influence, according to his work “Big Autumn.”
In southern Vietnam, Phan van Hum was also an avid reader. During his time in Hanoi, Phan recalled in his memoirs, “Prison in the Big Prison”: “On public holidays and days off, people often saw me standing around in bookstores in Hang Gai, Hang Giay and Hang Bo and looking for old, tattered books… later when new books were published, I also bought a couple, for example small books about the history of Sun Yat-Sen … for the youngest children in the family to read.”
To expand his knowledge, phan van Hum borrowed books from Nguyen on Ninh’s bookshelf. In his memoirs, Phan confessed to borrowing books such as History of Christ and Les Frères Karamazov.
Literary Lives: How books Shaped Vietnamese Writers
the impact of reading on the progress of a writer is undeniable. As artist Ta Ty wrote,”Read books to discover life or find your own picture in it.” This sentiment resonated deeply with many Vietnamese writers, shaping their perspectives and influencing their craft. Let’s explore how reading influenced some notable Vietnamese literary figures.
What Role Did Reading Play in the Lives of Vietnamese Writers?
Reading served as a powerful foundation for many vietnamese writers, providing them with inspiration, knowledge, and a broader understanding of the world. It fueled their creativity and influenced the themes and styles of their work. For these individuals, books where not just a pastime, but a constant companion and a source of profound insight.
How Did Vu Ngoc Phan’s Reading Preferences influence His Writing?
Writer and literary critic Vu Ngoc Phan, in his memoirs “Those Years,” revealed the importance of reading in his formative years.
Vu Ngoc Phan’s Early Fascination with Chinese Novels
Vu Ngoc Phan confessed to a youthful fondness for Chinese novels, wich significantly influenced his life and writing.He explored Western literature, including La Fontaine’s fables and works by balzac, alongside Vietnamese classics like Truyen Kieu.
How Did Books Inspire the Poetry of Luu Trong Lu?
The poet Luu Trong Lu is often associated with the poem “Autumn Sounds.”
What books did Luu trong Lu read?
To create enduring works,Luu trong Lu acquired foundational knowledge early in life.His memoirs, “Awakening at Midnight,” reveal that he regularly visited the central library on Truong Thi Street during his studies, where he immersed himself in the works of Dostoyevsky and the poetry of Omar Khayyam. Later in life, as he turned to poetry and revolutionary activities, Luu Trong Lu credited “the ‘Marxist’ bookcase of the Viet Minh in central Vietnam, which were evacuated together in the war zone,” as a key influence, according to his work ”Big Autumn.”
His reading spanned both classic literature and revolutionary texts, showcasing how different genres and ideologies contributed to his poetic vision.
How Did Books Shape the Early Lives of Huy Can and Nguyen Xuan Sanh?
Poets Huy can and Nguyen Xuan Sanh, members of the Xuan Thu Nha Tap group, shared a passion for books during their time at the Hue National School.
Where did Huy Can and Nguyen Xuan Sanh find books?
Nguyen Xuan Sanh recalled in “Beloved Faces” that books and newspapers were available in Mr. Duong’s library and at a friend’s house. However, “the best and most popular is still the Huong Giang of Mr.and Ms. Hai Trieu.”
Did Huy Can and Nguyen Xuan Sanh use the bookstore frequently?
Yes, they did.”Thursdays and Sundays Huy Can and I often ran across to visit his bookstore. At many evenings, we also sneaked out of school to stop by and watch the new books for a moment,” Nguyen Xuan Sanh said.
The two students not onyl frequented the Huong Giang bookstore but also received books on socialism from Hai Trieu. They were even able to buy books on credit, paying at the end of the month.
They were able to form their own preferences based on books that were accessible and the books they admired.
How Did Phan Van Hum expand His Reading Horizons?
In southern Vietnam and in his memoirs, Phan Van Hum was an avid reader and sought to expand his knowledge.
Where did Phan Van Hum find books?
During his time in Hanoi,Phan recalled in his memoirs,”Prison in the Big Prison”: “On public holidays and days off,people often saw me standing around in bookstores in Hang Gai,Hang giay and Hang Bo and looking for old,tattered books. Later when new books were published, I also bought a couple, for example small books about the history of Sun Yat-Sen…for the youngest children in the family to read.”
Did Phan Van Hum borrow from others?
To expand his knowledge, Phan Van Hum borrowed books from Nguyen on Ninh’s bookshelf. In his memoirs, Phan confessed to borrowing books such as History of Christ and Les Frères Karamazov.
Book Comparisons: A Summary
Here’s a quick comparison of the types of books some of the writers enjoyed:
| Writer | Reading influences |
|---|---|
| Vu Ngoc Phan | Chinese Novels, Western literature (La Fontaine, Balzac), Vietnamese Classics (Truyen Kieu) |
| Luu Trong Lu | Dostoyevsky, omar Khayyam, Marxist Literature |
| Huy Can & Nguyen xuan Sanh | Books and newspapers at Mr. Duong’s library and the Huong Giang bookstore, books on socialism |
| Phan Van Hum | Old and tattered books (various), History of Sun yat-Sen, History of christ, Les Frères Karamazov |
How Early Did This Love of Reading Begin?
For many, the love of reading began in childhood, shaping their literary choices, as novelist Tung Long noted.
Where did Tung Long find books?
Novelist Tung Long, traced her literary beginnings to her father’s bookshelf. “Since my childhood I have been living with books, poems, and literature,” Tung Long wrote in her memoirs, “Writing is my eternal joy.” She recalled stories like “Rebirth Fate” and “Chieu Quan Tribute to Ho” being deeply ingrained in her childhood memories.
Conclusion
The experiences of these Vietnamese writers demonstrate the profound impact of reading on literary development. Through their exposure to diverse texts, these writers expanded their knowledge, broadened their perspectives, and ultimately honed their craft, leaving a lasting legacy in Vietnamese literature. Their stories serve as a testament to the power of books to inspire,educate,and transform.