Demand for author Bao Ninh's novel "Noi buon chien tranh" has surged after the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism honored it on 30/11 in Hanoi. The work was recognized as one of 50 significant post-unification literary and performing arts works. This event reignited discussions around the book and its author, prompting readers to seek out the novel.
On groups dedicated to collecting books, newspapers, and stamps, many readers inquired about purchasing the novel. Booksellers also noted a significant increase in orders. According to translator Nguyen Tuan Binh, owner of Binh Book, the work typically sold a steady 30 copies per month. However, from 2-4/12, his company received 400 orders. The Nha xuat ban Tre (NXB Tre) main warehouse is currently out of stock.
Nguyen Hai Dang, editor in charge of the NXB Tre branch in Hanoi, explained that the recent debates surrounding the novel impacted reader demand. Distributors and bookstores ordered more copies, causing the main warehouse to run out before it could be replenished. He added that a reprinting plan was already underway prior to this surge.
NXB Tre signed a lifetime copyright contract with author Bao Ninh, publishing "Noi buon chien tranh" in 2011. Since then, the publisher has continuously reprinted the book, recording approximately 80,000 copies printed for a consistent readership. Each reprint run varies based on demand, typically ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 copies, but recently, this number has often been 5,000. So far this year, the publisher has printed about 15,000 copies.
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A special edition of "Noi buon chien tranh", released in 1/2022. Photo: Nha xuat ban Tre |
A special edition of "Noi buon chien tranh", released in 1/2022. Photo: Nha xuat ban Tre
"Noi buon chien tranh" revolves around the life of Kien, a romantic young man full of aspirations who is suddenly swept into the brutal vortex of war. Witnessing immense pain and loss, he becomes haunted, lives in solitude, and struggles to reintegrate into peacetime society.
Released in 1990, the novel quickly made waves in the literary world for presenting a fresh perspective on war. The author realistically depicts the suffering on the battlefield, faced by both sides. With the character Kien, he did not follow an epic hero archetype but instead delved into his tormented inner world, repressed emotions, and everyday human aspects.
Associate Professor, Doctor Pham Xuan Thach noted that the novel's innovation lies in Bao Ninh's incorporation of realistic elements through a lens previously unseen in war literature. Additionally, he adopted a different approach to realism, portraying and emphasizing the individuality of his characters' fates.
Author Bao Ninh, o do tuoi 73, whose real name is Hoang Au Phuong, is the son of Giao su Hoang Tue, former Vien truong Vien Ngon ngu hoc. He joined the army at 17, fighting on the B3 Tay Nguyen front with Tieu doan 5, Trung doan 24, Su doan 10. In 1975, he was demobilized and later worked at the Vien Khoa hoc Viet Nam. From 1984-1986, he studied at the Truong Viet van Nguyen Du. After gaining fame with "Noi buon chien tranh", Bao Ninh primarily wrote short stories, exploring the realities of war through his personal experiences.
Phuong Linh
