(Hanoi, AFP) The Vietnamese novel The Sorrow of War has been ranked by the Vietnamese government as one of the top 50 greatest literary and artistic works since reunification. This has sparked debate on social media and unexpectedly reignited public interest in veteran and author Bao Ninh's classic novel, leading to a surge in sales.
The Sorrow of War was first published in 1987 under the title The Destiny of Love, describing a young North Vietnamese soldier haunted by memories of war, and tormented by the fact that his girlfriend was raped by a comrade.
The Sorrow of War was first published in 1987 under the title The Destiny of Love, describing a young North Vietnamese soldier haunted by memories of war, and tormented by the fact that his girlfriend was raped by a comrade.
At the time, most war literature focused on glorifying heroic sacrifice, so Bao Ninh's work was immediately banned after publication. However, The Sorrow of War received widespread acclaim overseas and has since been translated into more than 15 languages.
When Vietnam included this novel in its list of top 50 best novels in late November, it sparked a fresh wave of controversy. Some conservatives reacted intensely, believing that the novel’s unvarnished depiction of war degraded the heroism of the victors. This round of public debate once again brought The Sorrow of War into the spotlight.
When Vietnam included this novel in its list of top 50 best novels in late November, it sparked a fresh wave of controversy. Some conservatives reacted intensely, believing that the novel’s unvarnished depiction of war degraded the heroism of the victors. This round of public debate once again brought The Sorrow of War into the spotlight.
Le Hanh, a 25-year-old resident of Hanoi, tried to buy the novel at several bookstores in Hanoi but found it was sold out everywhere. He said: "I only learned about this novel because of the discussions online. I was really surprised at how quickly it sold out—I simply couldn’t believe its sales could be this hot."
A bookseller surnamed Nguyen in Hanoi said, "This book has been controversial for a long time. Sales have always been quite steady. But it’s the first time we've ever sold out like this."
Former head of the Vietnamese army’s propaganda department, Nguyen Thanh Tuan, posted on Facebook in early December that the novel "aims to denigrate soldiers’ heroic deeds… fabricating and distorting the reality of millions’ courageous struggle and enormous sacrifice."
A bookseller surnamed Nguyen in Hanoi said, "This book has been controversial for a long time. Sales have always been quite steady. But it’s the first time we've ever sold out like this."
Former head of the Vietnamese army’s propaganda department, Nguyen Thanh Tuan, posted on Facebook in early December that the novel "aims to denigrate soldiers’ heroic deeds… fabricating and distorting the reality of millions’ courageous struggle and enormous sacrifice."
He called for the revocation of the honor granted to The Sorrow of War. His post sparked heated discussion on social media, attracting thousands of likes, and gained particular support from veterans.
However, many people also defended the honor accorded to The Sorrow of War. Literary critic Ha Thanh Van said: "If we require novels to be like battle reports, then we are forcing literature to take on the role of other professions."
However, many people also defended the honor accorded to The Sorrow of War. Literary critic Ha Thanh Van said: "If we require novels to be like battle reports, then we are forcing literature to take on the role of other professions."
Ngoc Tran, a 12th-grade student in Hanoi, does not believe the novel tarnishes the image of Vietnam’s past soldiers. She said, "This novel merely reveals more truths about human nature."
According to the publisher of The Sorrow of War, the novel has seen 15,000 copies printed so far this year; since 2011, the cumulative print run has reached about 80,000 copies.
According to the publisher of The Sorrow of War, the novel has seen 15,000 copies printed so far this year; since 2011, the cumulative print run has reached about 80,000 copies.