Memories of ordinary life in Saigon

Author Pham Cong Luan writes about the lifestyle and community spirit of Saigon residents in the last century in his two new collections of short stories.

Author and journalist Pham Cong Luan has just released two volumes of short stories, "The Eight Immortals of Con Chuot Hamlet" and "The Wanderer of the Train Station Market." These two books continue his series on Saigon's cultural life that made him famous, such as "The Soul of the City," "There Was a Time in Cholon," and "Saigon - Stories of the City" (five volumes).

Covers of two newly published books by author Pham Cong Luan. Photo: Nha Nam.

This time, the author recounts memories from the perspective of an ordinary person, who grew up in a small neighborhood in the city.

The novel "Eight Immortals of the Mouse Village" consists of 17 chapters. The story is inspired by the author's childhood living space in the old Phu Nhuan district, specifically in the area of ​​Tran Huy Lieu, Nguyen Trong Tuyen, and Hoang Van Thu streets.

Viewed from above, the alleys resemble the shape of a mouse. The main characters, eight children—seven boys and one girl—are close friends, much like the eight fairies in ancient Chinese folklore.

Each person has their own personality: Luận Mọt is a bookworm, Chí Mén is clever and likes to avoid work, Bốn 35 only likes to admire girls from afar, and Ngọc Thúy is the only girl in the group, called a "shrew" but extremely precious.

The group remained close throughout their childhood, standing by each other in times of danger, until the Eight Immortals gradually became the Seven Sages as they went their separate ways. Most of the plot is fictional, but glimpses of the author's memories of friendship in that small alley more than 50 years ago are subtly present.

Following the bustling Mouse Village, readers are transported back to their childhood with countless mischievous antics of the children, and then experience the sadness of separation as each person leaves to start a new life.

Illustrations from the book "Eight Immortals of the Mouse Village". Photo: Nha Nam

The novel "The Wanderer at the Train Station" has a more profound writing style. The story revolves around a small market neighborhood next to a train station in the heart of Saigon. The main character is a man who works as a plumber and electrician, living alone in the market neighborhood. He considers the vendors in the market as family, from Ms. Sau, the fabric seller, to the other women selling trinkets, to the student named Hem.

In the impoverished neighborhood, many lives unfold, and many dreams blossom. Through the pages of this book, Saigon emerges not just as a place of livelihood, but as a place where people from all walks of life gather, supporting each other with open hearts. The stories are rich in everyday life experiences, evoking familiar memories for many.

The market in the story is modeled after the train station market near his home, where his mother used to have a stall. For many years, he was connected to the place by helping his mother set up the stall every morning, a habit he maintained until he became a journalist.

Two books, two narrative voices, yet together they paint a picture of a bustling but warm-hearted southern land, as the cover of "Eight Immortals of the Mouse Village" says: "Saigon nurtured them, the small village taught them to love."

With his unpretentious writing style, Pham Cong Luan leads readers into the often-unnoticed details of urban life half a century ago: from eating and living habits to the small lives of individuals who contributed to shaping the cultural and social landscape of the city through different periods.

Author Pham Cong Luan (left) signs books for readers at a book signing event on Ho Chi Minh City's Book Street on April 11. Photo: Provided by the author.

The covers and illustrations for both volumes were created by artist Duc Lam, one of the writers involved in editing the early Doraemon comics. The drawing style changes with each volume.

The illustrations in the book "Eight Immortals of the Mouse Village" are vibrant and suitable for children, while the drawings in "The Wanderer of the Train Station Market" are simple and nostalgic.

Artist Duc Lam said he was impressed by the book "The Wanderer at the Train Station Market" because the atmosphere evoked the rhythm of life in traditional markets, linked to his childhood memories, when his mother used to sit selling noodle soup at Bui Phat market to support her children's education.

Author Pham Cong Luan, 64 years old, was born in Ho Chi Minh City. Not only is he prominent in the essay genre, but he has also contributed many scholarly books and memoirs about Saigon such as Saigon - Stories of the City (2014), Saigon - The Flavor of Old Spring Newspapers (2018), Saigon - Looking Back a Hundred Years (2021), and Saigon - Gia Dinh - Cholon: Brilliant Memories (2022).

According to vnexpress.net

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/ky-uc-doi-song-binh-dan-o-sai-gon-a239510.html