These three novels were released by Kim Dong Publishing House to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the birth of writer To Hoai (September 27, 1920 - September 27, 2025).
These three outstanding novels portray Hanoi at different points in time. Photo: Kim Dong Publishing House.
Each novel is a slice of Vietnamese history and society, set in Hanoi. "The Robber of Ben Boi" is a story set in the mid-19th century, revolving around the Cao Ba Quat rebellion and the tragedy of his loyal disciples. Through this, To Hoai portrays the heroic spirit and the people's yearning for happiness in the face of a corrupt feudal regime. This is a historically significant novel, where literature meets historical sources, bringing to life a tragic period of the past.
"Mother and Father of the Underworld" takes readers to Hanoi in the first half of the 20th century. The work reflects the changes in the villages and cities of Northern Vietnam during the French colonial period, portraying the lives of the poor, forced into the struggle for survival, and having to rise above their hardships by any means necessary... Despite much bitterness, they still exude genuineness, simplicity, and hope for a better tomorrow.
"The Alleyways" depicts Hanoi in the years after liberation, a city where urban life was still full of turmoil, hardship, and aspirations. The humble lives in the narrow alleyways become symbols of enduring vitality and the yearning for change to adapt to the new era. This is also one of the rare works that portrays the face of Hanoi immediately after the war.
The comic book series "The Adventures of Cricket" is published in English. Photo: Kim Dong Publishing House.
Although written at different times, all three novels share the core values of To Hoai's literature.
According to Kim Dong Publishing House, To Hoai is a major figure in modern Vietnamese literature. He left behind a vast legacy with hundreds of works ranging from prose and essays to children's stories. The trilogy of novels released on the occasion of To Hoai's 105th birthday is a tribute to his immense legacy, and also an effort to bring To Hoai's literature closer to today's readers, those who have been connected to him since the pages of his childhood.
Also on this occasion, the comic series "Adventures of Cricket" by artist Linh Rab, inspired by To Hoai's "The Adventures of Cricket," was published in English by Kim Dong Publishing House under the title "Adventures of Cricket."
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/ra-mat-3-tieu-thuyet-dac-sac-danh-cho-ha-noi-cua-nha-van-to-hoai-717053.html
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