The cool breezes

Following her debut collection of essays, "The Countryside by the Red River," this collection affirms her maturity in storytelling technique and the depth of her emotions, with feelings stemming from a heart deeply attached to life.

This book comprises 14 short stories meticulously written by Nhat Chi Mai over more than two years. She incorporates very real-life, vivid glimpses into her writing, reflecting the very breath of contemporary life.

Her stories may not be new in terms of subject matter, but they are captivating because of her flexible writing style; sometimes they are poetic and romantic, other times they are concise and coherent, containing subtle yet profound philosophical insights.

Respecting traditional writing styles, the characters in Nhat Chi Mai's works are familiar people around us; the plots are situations that are very easy to encounter in real life. These include family relationships, friendships, and teacher-student relationships.

The author demonstrates a solid foundation in storytelling, escalating plot points, and skillfully resolving issues. Each work is a simple story, yet it leaves a lasting emotional impact.

The short stories "Sunlight Staining" and "The Stormy Day Passed" explore the theme of family relationships, focusing on the relationship between mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, and the husband's child from a previous marriage. While this relationship has appeared frequently in literature, Nhat Chi Mai still manages to captivate the reader, drawing them into the characters' emotions and feelings.

After all the hardships and trials of life, the truth ultimately prevails: the enduring presence of humane feelings. The story concludes with the image of a vibrant red flower, like the color of sunshine, igniting hope for a brighter future and happiness.

Building on the success of her debut collection of essays on rural themes, this collection presents a vivid picture of the Northern Vietnamese countryside through Nhat Chi Mai's many works, showcasing her deep understanding of rural culture and her immersion in the transformations of her homeland.

"Red Sunlight," "The Persimmon Tree by the Temple Gate," "The Ancient Shrine by the River" are vivid literary passages, like the breath of the countryside, flowing through generations. There's a touch of nostalgic regret for the fading rural culture, a hint of bewilderment at the changes in the villages amidst urbanization, and even the suppressed sighs of those whose lives are precarious and full of hardship. But above all, there remains a genuine belief in core values, in the undeniable bonds of kinship, like an endless, refreshing stream.

The short story "A Windy Sky" serves as the title for the entire collection, a deliberate artistic choice by the author. The main character is Nga, a beautiful girl born into rather unusual circumstances. Many people in such situations would easily be overwhelmed by the storms and hardships, but Nga bravely overcame adversity.

Life is vast and full of storms and waves, but the kind hearts and noble characters of the main characters affirm the enduring nature of these feelings. The story is the clearest and most vivid proof of the sublime function of true art: guiding people towards truth, goodness, and beauty.

Writer Nhat Chi Mai continues to diligently leave her mark on the arduous path of literature. Like the refreshing breezes of human kindness that gently blow, dispelling anxieties, tensions, and doubts, each page she writes embodies an enduring belief in goodness, an affirmation of deeply rooted values in this vast world.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nhung-ngon-gio-mat-lanh-716876.html