Fragments of yearning love

The book "Fragments of Aspirational Love" (Vietnam Writers Association Publishing House, 2024) by journalist and poet Dao Duc Tuan has just been released to readers. The substantial book, comprising biographical and documentary writings, offers readers many surprises and delights.

Poet and journalist Dao Duc Tuan (on the left) at the book launch.

"Fragments of Aspirational Love" dedicates its first 162 pages to sketching portraits of artists and writers, most of whom were close friends of the poet Dao. The challenge in writing portraits is having to read many works, understand the life and personality of each individual. Furthermore, artists and writers are often very talented but quite individualistic. Writing in a way that is novel, unique, and engaging enough to persuade the reader is very difficult. Yet, Dao Duc Tuan still does it well, writing beautifully and enjoying the book!

Many writers, though I wouldn't dare say the most representative, but deserving of the pride of their respective regions, gradually emerge on each page of the book. There are Nguyen Thanh Mung, Tran Thi Huyen Trang, Van Phi (Binh Dinh); here are Nguyen Tuong Van, Dao Minh Hiep, Ngo Phan Luu, Phan Hoang, Phung Hi (Phu Yen); here are Uong Thai Bieu, Nguyen Hang Tinh ( Lam Dong ); and still others like Doan Thach Bien, Luong Ngoc An, Tran Nha Thuy, Le Duc Duong, Nguyen Lam Thang... From life stories to professional matters, from anxieties to dreams, from the hardships of making a living to the refined character of a gentleman, from their literary connections to the works that established their names, Dao Duc Tuan vividly portrays them all with his bright, beautiful, and captivating writing style.

The book "Fragments of Aspirational Love" by Dao Duc Tuan

The joy of reading literary portraits lies in the fact that readers not only gain an overview of the creative process and the groundbreaking explorations, but also understand the behind-the-scenes stories and "kitchen work" of literature. Behind the words, manuscripts, and works are the struggles of making a living, the silent loneliness, the burning passion, and the heartfelt belief and love of each artist. Reading this book, I learned more about the esteemed poet Doan Thach Bien: “Hearing Mr. Bien ‘caring for the young people,’ they eagerly sent in their articles, messy manuscripts, and clumsy sentences. Yet he read, edited, and responded to each person; when they saw their articles published in their entirety, without punctuation corrections, they knew they had…grown up”; “Regardless of the time, many newcomers to journalism and literature always sought him out for advice, sometimes on just a small detail.”

I was touched by Mr. Bien's kindness towards young writers. I loved the sincere encouragement from my math teacher and writer, Phung Hi: "Try writing, like trying a profession, carpentry for example. If you succeed, consider it a gift to your readers. If not, I believe you will love literature even more, as you once did." I like Dao Duc Tuan's writing style, soaring yet approachable, ornate yet simple, playfully professional yet retaining the endearing, distinctive style of the Nẫu people, with phrases like "rần rần" (rumbling), "lem nem" (messaging), "nhắn nhe" (sniffling), "bự nhất" (biggest)...

I was once captivated by Uong Thai Bieu's "Wind Blowing from the Land of Memories." Therefore, I paused for a while to admire Tuan's writings about Bieu: "So many shared experiences, laughter and tears, Da Lat has permeated the soul of this young man from Nghe An. Yet, I realize that his passion for Central Highlands culture remains the core of Uong Thai Bieu's writings. Celebrating a lifetime of joy and sorrow, Uong Thai Bieu, a man of the windy seasons..." With 28 portraits of artists, each unique but collectively talented, responsible, passionate, dedicated, and deeply committed to their writings.

The latter part of the book, dedicating over 80 pages to introducing the entrepreneurial stories of Phu Yen businesspeople such as Le Van Hau, Tran Duy Tan, Nguyen Duy Trinh, Nguyen Tran Vu, Ngo Thi Muoi... Most of them are young, well-educated, and aspire to become wealthy to help themselves and others in their homeland. These writings lean towards journalistic style but are still imbued with the author's literary quality and heartfelt emotions. Each character is a story, encompassing joy and sorrow, struggles, failures, and the determination to succeed...

Dao Duc Tuan graduated from the Faculty of Literature, Da Lat University in 1993, and currently lives and writes in Tuy Hoa, Phu Yen. His name is known to readers through his three poetry collections: *Slow Afternoon* (2005), *Embracing the Earth* (2010), and *Silence* (2017). His career as a journalist gave him opportunities to travel and write extensively, broaden his social circle, and enrich his life experiences. His literary career helped him find balance and serenity with words, after the hustle and bustle and uncertainties of his life. The book's shortcomings include a few minor errors, though few, still leaving a feeling of incompleteness. In my opinion, "Fragments of Aspirational Love" is a worthwhile read. Read it to understand more about the author and his work. Read it to grasp the essence of love that lingers on each page!

Source: http://baolamdong.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/202409/nhung-manh-tinh-khat-vong-92f2e91/