Instead of grand narratives or dramatic events, the more than 200-page collection of essays "Memories of Childhood" is woven from everyday memories, with small details that are rich in imagery and emotion, connecting and touching upon the shared memories of "childhood in my heart is..." for generations of Vietnamese people.
It was the feeling of safety when dozing off between Mom and Dad on their old motorbike, snuggling into Mom's raincoat like a small but complete world of warmth and peace. Or sharing the same experiences on windy days with kites, playing mischievous pranks, sharing snacks, chattering about ghost stories or anything under the sun... all of which made the bonds of siblings and friends stronger than ever.
These essays also possess a musical quality—like a melody—a background music for a slow-motion film that evokes a sense of wonder. They transport us back to the nostalgic memories of the beloved four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter; to the wistful feelings of unspoken declarations of love; to shy glances like sunlight filtering through leaves; and to innocent regrets like dew on the grass...
Each story is like an unchanging candy in a box of time for the reader to receive; the more one reads, the more precious things in life one discovers, and the more one wants to cherish and remember them. Readers may be moved to tears when reading these verses: “When will we return to the old days / When we were tiny, mother took us to the fields / Father's hands cracked in winter / Carrying the whole rice field and paddy on his back / A handful of rice dipped in sesame salt / Childhood captivated by the sound of cicadas / Buffaloes chewing grass on the dike / Someone playing a flute, leisurely in the countryside / Years of ups and downs / Suddenly, my heart aches, searching for the old days.” And the author compares family affection to the symbolic image of "the softest blanket in the world," which will shelter us through all the storms of life.
"Memories of Childhood" is not just a collection of emotionally rich essays, but also conveys the message that peace doesn't lie in distant places, but within the memories deep within each person – it remains like a gentle stream in our souls. And let's not forget, there is a child within us, who once lived carefree, who loved and was loved, who once dreamed beautiful dreams. That "child" has never disappeared from our hearts, because each of us once had: "Childhood with emotions that we once embraced with the purest hearts."
Author Bui Van Anh, born in 1992, graduated with a major in Literature from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and currently works in content creation and advertising. Under the pen name "The Writer of Memories," he has been spreading the values of memory and original emotions through his words.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/cham-vao-mien-ky-uc-thoi-tho-au-719346.html
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