* A review for the "My Favorite Book" column

As a child, like many others, I harbored grand dreams that far exceeded the imagination of busy adults. Among these, I once longed to travel alone, perhaps with one companion, across vast fields, through ancient forests, along deep rivers, to discover new things and live a nomadic life, eating whatever came our way. This dream burned even brighter when my mother scolded me or when I made a mistake, making me believe that only by "leaving home" could I escape my father's punishment.

As I grew older, that dream—along with many others—faded away.

Then, one day in late July last year, as I turned the pages of Hector Malot's 'No Family', that old dream unexpectedly returned with vivid clarity.

I followed the protagonist, young Remi, on his homeless adventure, from the poor village of Chavanon in central France, to the mining region of Varses, then to the splendid Paris, and even foggy London. Throughout this long journey, I saw my own beautiful childhood reflected in Remi's young soul. In turn, Remi taught me many lessons about becoming an adult.

First, Remi taught me to love and cherish my family. From the rural Chavanon, at the very beginning of the book, the boy declares, "I am a child who was found". Despite this, Remi always regarded his adoptive mother, Barberin, as his birth mother. Mother Barberin loved him, carefully saving meager ingredients to make him pancakes and donuts, drawing the curtains when he slept, and suffering immensely when he was sold.

While the yearning to find his biological parents and roots might have been a great motivation for the small, fair-skinned boy to travel thousands of miles, I believe it was Mother Barberin's love that initially shaped Remi's strong character. Her love helped him maintain his inherent goodness and guided him steadily through challenges.

Amidst countless miles on his arduous journey, Remi's heart always turned towards Mother Barberin, showing us that sometimes, family is not necessarily defined by blood ties; it is simply where we feel at home.

However, Remi did not only teach me about family. He also conveyed that even though the world can be filled with sorrow and deceit, human kindness and compassion are always present.

Beyond Mother Barberin, Remi's family included those he met throughout his journey: the skilled old artist Vitalis, the intelligent dog Capi, along with his companions Zerbino and Dolce, and the mischievous monkey Joli-Coeur. These benefactors taught the boy his trade and sheltered him through days of hunger and cold.

His family also encompassed father Acquin and his children Lise, Alexis, Benjamin, Etiennette, including his "through thick and thin" friend, Mattia. They had no blood relation to Remi, nor any obligation or responsibility to protect the boy. Yet, with compassion and human love, they selflessly opened their hearts to the unfortunate child.

Mr. Vitalis and his animal companions taught Remi art and how to be a good person. The Acquin family extended their arms to shelter Remi after Vitalis froze to death in the street. Mattia, for Remi's sake, risked many dangers, determined to help him find his origins. Without these friends and their love, Remi would have struggled to reunite with his biological family at the end of the story.

"No Family" (Sans famille) is Hector Malot's most famous novel, published in 1878, and received an award from the French Academy of Literature. Many countries worldwide have translated and continuously reissued the work. The book was adapted into a film by director Antoine Blossier, released in 12/2018. Photo: Fahasa

"No Family" (Sans famille) is Hector Malot's most famous novel, published in 1878, and received an award from the French Academy of Literature. Many countries worldwide have translated and continuously reissued the work. The book was adapted into a film by director Antoine Blossier, released in 12/2018. Photo: Fahasa

Remi also instilled in me the importance of persisting on one's chosen path, loving work, always hoping for the future, and never losing kindness.

In a conversation, Mr. Vitalis taught that we "must have kindness to help those around us live happily". Carrying this inherent goodness and the kindness taught by Mr. Vitalis, Remi traveled tens of thousands of miles and behaved as a truly kind person.

He brought a radiant smile to young Lise through his skillful musical performance. He scorned the cruelty and ruthlessness of old Garofoli, who abused children. He felt remorse and anguish over the misdeeds of the Driscoll family, even though he then believed they were his biological relatives.

Alongside this kindness, young Remi always persevered and hoped on his chosen path. This was evident when he was determined to learn gardening to help father Acquin's family, despite knowing it was a profession where one "wakes up before sunrise and goes to bed long after sunset". He patiently saved every penny to buy a dairy cow to please Mother Barberin. He held firm to the hope that life and his loved ones still awaited him on earth, even when trapped in the dark mine in Varses.

Most importantly, he tirelessly nurtured his belief in reuniting with his biological parents and loved ones, even with no clue beyond a "beautiful swaddling cloth".

Remi taught me such valuable lessons.

To me, Remi's life is a vivid testament to ancient teachings, such as "Good deeds are rewarded", "Perseverance pays off", "Don't give up in the face of adversity", or any saying that implies one must live morally and patiently to await good things. Following Remi's story—from a "miserable child, who during his entire youth had spent countless nights in barns, stables, or sleeping outdoors in the woods"—to when he met his birth mother and heard her say he would "live forever with your mother and your brother, with those who loved you when you were unhappy", I felt a renewed belief in the many good things in life, and a stronger resolve amidst life's many changes.

Closing the final page of 'No Family', I secretly smiled and felt grateful that Remi had given me the chance to journey with him through many strange lands—like the "travel alone" I dreamed of as a child. I also appreciated Remi immensely for generously teaching me so many life lessons—lessons that both children and adults must learn, sincerely and seriously.

Pham Hong Son