Bernard Werber: 'Writers should awaken the reader's thinking'

Hanoi The author of the novel "Kien" said one of the purposes of writing is to open the door of knowledge for readers.

At the exchange at the National Library on March 16, Werber said he was happy to meet and talk with Vietnamese readers for the first time. Domestic readers know the French author through a series of novels such as Kien - including the collections Kien , Day of the Ants and Ant Revolution, and the book Pandora's Box.

Weber believed that a good writer needs to travel a lot, observe a lot, and be close to his readers to understand what they need. At the same time, he did not stop at telling stories but wanted to awaken the readers' thoughts. Therefore, in his books, he often posed puzzles, stimulated the readers' curiosity, and helped them deduce ordinary issues that they were not interested in.

He cited the Ant trilogy , published over six years, from 1991 to 1996. Around the age of 20, while reporting on safari ants in Africa, he was nearly killed by an attack. However, the situation helped the author gain experience in writing books.

The content of his works on ants is a synthesis of the writer's observations, scientifically verified. He clearly depicts the characteristics of living things, and at the same time personifies them to convey his perspective on life's issues.

Writer Bernard Werber at an event in Hanoi. Photo: Ngoc Anh — Bernard Werber at an event in Hanoi. He will have an exchange at the French Institute (Hue) on March 19, then be in Da Nang on March 20. In Ho Chi Minh City, the author will have a discussion at the French Cultural Exchange Institute IDECAF and the Marguerite Duras International French School on March 21 and 22, respectively. Photo: *Ngoc Anh*

After Kien , the writer wrote science fiction novels. In 2018, he released Pandora's Box , introducing a new literary concept called "philosophy of science fiction". The book was translated into Vietnamese by Phung Hong Minh and published by Nha Nam in May 2023. He said that people cannot limit their thinking but must have a broader perspective, beyond time and space. Therefore, he mentioned the story of a previous life in the book, as a way to liberate the mind.

In response to the question from the program coordinator - PhD in Literature Nguyen Quyen: "Why do you use detective stories as the framework for all your works, from Ants to Pandora's Box ?", Werber explained that this is an aspect that can attract readers. He said that detective works are always a race for readers, as they always want to find the culprit before the writer. Werber hopes that each book is a game that the writer proposes to the reader.

The book trilogy Kien by author Bernard Werber was translated and published domestically in 2009. Photo: Nha Nam — The "Ant" trilogy by author Bernard Werber was translated and published domestically in 2009. Photo: *Nha Nam*

To achieve success, the writer sets a strict writing discipline. At first, Werber did not think he could write well, but he always tried to maintain it every day, for example working from 8am to 12:30pm. Besides, passion is an important factor, helping writers create the best works, according to Werber. At the event, he said that just by answering the question of whether they like writing or not, each person will know whether they can become a writer. He encouraged everyone to determine what they like, from there dare to give up a job that is no longer suitable, going beyond the safety zone.

Writer Bernard Werber, 63, was born in Toulouse, France. In 1982, Werber enrolled in the Paris School of Journalism. He wrote regular feature articles for a daily newspaper in Cambrai, before winning the French Information Foundation's Young Reporter of the Year award. His first major feature was on safari ants in the Ivory Coast. Upon returning to France, he freelanced for several newspapers, before taking over the science section of Le Nouvel Observateu r for seven years.

Phuong Linh

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