“Memories and aspirations from Ba Don”
The book “Memories and aspirations from Ba Don” by writer and journalist Pham Phu Thep consists of 5 pieces: Pieces of memories; Opening the windows; Fragrant manuscripts; Dialogue; In today's steps.
Writer Pham Ngoc Tien commented: “Pham Phu Thep is strong in the genre of memoirs because he is a journalist. But more than that, the 262 pages of notes are not only like the title of the book “Memories and aspirations from Ba Don” but also a flowing stream of literary words with boundless love for his homeland Ba Don and this life”.
Indeed, in the first pages of the book, he leads readers back to the land of Ba Don with the people associated with the writer's memories through the "Memory Puzzles". In "Memory Puzzles", through each small story about the author's father, grandfather, grandmother, mother..., the characters are "very Ba Don, only Ba Don has"... The whole Ba Don in difficult times appears through each rustic, pure "puzzle", enough for readers to imagine those fierce years.
With a sincere and profound pen, Pham Phu Thep has portrayed his childhood years, memories of his grandparents, parents, teachers, students, schools, friends, colleagues in Ba Don, the historical years of the country. Pham Phu Thep tells stories about the slices, the people in his family, his own stories, but readers, especially Ba Don people, when reading, all have the feeling that their own story, their family, their generation exists in it.
The beauty of author Pham Phu Thep is that he “tells without telling”, very real, so that readers, regardless of their age or level, can understand every “slice” and “piece” of current events. Ba Don also exists in current stories with “Phan Long Communal House”, “Afternoon, Rain, Writers, Drinking, and Gianh River”… From there, memories are extended between the past and the present, between the present and the future, urging readers to continue turning each page of the book.
Ba Don is currently facing new opportunities and challenges. For Pham Phu Thep, a person who is attached to and loves this land, he always cherishes the hope and desire that the town along the Linh Giang River will develop and change strongly in the future. Perhaps that is why in the part "Opening the doors", the perspective of author Pham Phu Thep has a much fresher and more modern color.
From Ba Don, the writer’s perspective opens up many directions in different perspectives for comparison, contrast, self-reflection, and conclusions. We can easily see that in: “Hoi An”, “A Glimpse of Nha Trang” or “Wishing to Visit the Central Highlands”. These could be good experiences, creative ways of doing things, suitable for conscientious and visionary managers to refer to and who knows, there might be “open paths”.
Besides, Pham Phu Thep still does not forget that Ba Don is in dire need of a "push" to catch up with the trend of the times. He pondered: "... The land of loyal love has many talented people. That land deserves to enjoy the progress of civilization, and cannot forever face the muddy, narrow roads, floods, high tides or the difficult ferry...".
He also sobbed: “There are people who only wish to come to Gianh River once to feel the river that witnessed the nation's painful civil wars, to witness the last battle between Tay Son and Nguyen Anh... The wind of Gianh River blows back, carrying the breath of history, bringing this land out to the ocean. The sorrows of yesterday will create the progress of today.”
The following three parts of the book: “Cáo hương lên gio”, “Đoi” and “Trong buoc đi hôm nay” show readers a very different perspective on author Pham Phu Thep. Here, each story, each slice he chooses to “compose” for readers to enjoy is not simply limited to the heart of the riverside town. It has escaped the limitations of space and cognitive level to be ready to receive the new, the good, the beautiful. These could be stories about the time of King Tay Son, Minh Mang, Tu Duc... or concerns about current events, about contemporary issues that need to be contemplated and thought about in a new direction...
Regardless of the difficult or large topic, the subtle, easy-to-understand, gentle yet profound writing style of author Pham Phu Thep helps readers easily grasp and understand.
Pham Phu Thep's heart
The book “Memories and aspirations from Ba Don” by journalist and writer Pham Phu Thep is an emotional work, both historical and narrative. The work is not only the author’s memories of his hometown Ba Don (Quang Binh) but also reflects vivid stories about life, people, and historical events that this land has experienced.
Through each page, readers can feel Pham Phu Thep's deep attachment to Ba Don, the land where he grew up and witnessed many changes. From personal stories, the author has broadened his vision of the cultural, traditional and historical values of his homeland. Through that, he conveys a message of perseverance, efforts to overcome challenges and the desire for constant innovation.
Evaluating the work and author Pham Phu Thep, poet Hoang Vu Thuat said: “Pham Phu Thep is a journalist who has devoted his heart and soul to the land of Ba Don - the land on both banks of the Gianh River with many historical imprints, preserving family memories that he always cherishes as a part of his flesh and blood. From that small, humane countryside, he broadens his vision to all four directions, ready to turn over, dialogue and demystify past and present issues. His writings contain profound philosophy, the hot breath of everyday life, conveyed through a straightforward, delicate yet warm pen, with appeal and touching people's hearts".
As for Mr. Nguyen Canh Binh, Chairman of the Board of Directors, founder of Alpha and Omega Vietnam Book Joint Stock Company, did not hesitate to comment: “... I realized that in him there is always a fire of enthusiasm for the development of the community. Thep is not only a storyteller but also a person who lives in those stories, a person who connects the past and the present, acting as a bridge to bring traditional values further...”.
On his personal page, journalist and writer Pham Phu Thep shared that all proceeds from the sale of the book “Memories & Aspirations from Ba Don” will be used to buy a dialysis machine to support Bac Quang Binh General Hospital. A gesture of a true son of Ba Don!
Source: https://baodaknong.vn/ky-uc-va-khat-vong-tu-ba-don-nhung-trang-viet-noi-dai-yeu-thuong-241057.html
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