The strong vitality of Ho Bieu Chanh's literary works on the social life of the ancient South

(To Quoc) - Ho Bieu Chanh's literature has long been an important part of Southern literature. With a simple writing style, writer Ho Bieu Chanh has portrayed the atmosphere of social life in the South in ancient times, creating a strong vitality for his works and moving many generations of readers.

Ho Bieu Chanh's novel - a historical and cultural history of the South in the last century

It can be said that writer Ho Bieu Chanh is the first generation to pave the way for modern Vietnamese novels. He used common words naturally, honestly reflecting the feelings and psychology of ordinary people in the 20th century Southern society. Thanks to that, his works are close and create sympathy, causing emotion for readers.

Ho Bieu Chanh was born in 1885 in Go Cong. He started writing in 1910, from his first novel "Who can do it" (1912), in 19 years, he published 18 novels and many scripts. Passionate about writing, he completed more than 70 novels and short stories. His last novel, "Hy sinh" was not finished yet. He died in 1958 in Phu Nhuan.

Ho Bieu Chanh's literary legacy is quite large. In addition to writing over 70 novels and short stories, he also wrote many other genres such as opera, memoir, research, poetry, translation, criticism, essays... In total, there are over 130 works, a number that few Vietnamese writers have achieved this dream number. Today, his works still exist in books, on stage, in movies... and are loved and welcomed by the public.

Many works of Ho Bieu Chanh have been published by Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House in the past such as: Poor children; Rich children; Debt of life; Eating according to the times, living according to the times; Bitter taste of life; Leaving husband; Leaving wife; Sister Dao, Sister Ly; Lord of the Kim Quy ship; A bit of fate of a spirit; A forced smile; Great righteousness destroys the body; Rope of injustice; Broken love; Two blocks of love; Warm and cold human feelings; The one who makes and the one who suffers; Crying secretly - Heavy duty between father and son; Stepmother, stepchild; The grass in the wind plays; Because of me; Waking up from a dream; Red thread entanglement; True and false, false and true - Wild flower - A life of talent and beauty; For righteousness, for love; Meaning and love...

Ho Bieu Chanh's novels cover the realistic aspects and cultural characteristics of the South in the first decades of the 20th century. They are the degeneration of people in the rapid growth of the mercantile mind, the pitiful fate of ordinary people falling into poverty, and stories of human affairs rich in humanity of people in the new land. His works always cover the idea of ​​customs and ethics, towards the good in people. The picture of social reality and "pity" for the human condition still suffering from many troubles and injustices.

If you want to understand the people and culture of the South, you cannot ignore the works of Ho Bieu Chanh.

The novels of writer Ho Bieu Chanh both absorb Westernized techniques and preserve local nuances as well as national spirit. The words and description are natural and authentic, containing many thoughts and feelings. His works seem to speak for the people in the face of the changes of the times. Ho Bieu Chanh's novels can be considered a historical collection of customs about the South in the last century. Each work succeeds in reflecting the era he lived in, preserving the memory of history, people and characters of the South from the period of opening up the country, the turbulent 20th century.

We can see that the cultural material in Ho Bieu Chanh's literary works is a source of inspiration for adaptation into many genres such as films, plays, reformed opera... Director - Meritorious Artist Ho Ngoc Xum also loved the works of writer Ho Bieu Chanh since he was a child. He has been attached to Ho Bieu Chanh's films for 40 years in the profession and successfully adapted Ho Bieu Chanh's novels into films such as: The Windy Grass; Poor Child; Debt of Life; Two Blocks of Love; Woman's Heart; The Injustice Rope; Sister Dao, Sister Ly; The bitter taste of life; The lingering red thread… According to the talented director, the special point of Ho Bieu Chanh's novel is that it contains a pearl under the common shell, cultural scenery, concise plot, vivid setting, rich images, humanity, very real language, truly reflecting the simple culture of life, the way of speaking and behaving of people in the old South.

Writer Ho Bieu Chanh left a huge legacy to Vietnamese literature. With a simple writing style and language close to everyday speech, his novels have always been received by many generations of Southern people with special respect. Ho Bieu Chanh's novels once made waves from the city to the remote countryside. Readers everywhere loved to read them without getting bored, and their value still spreads to this day.

At the end of 2024, Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House continues to introduce readers to new printed works with an equally attractive new interface (with a book cover like a poetic window, covered with the effect of the cover painting and the book title). The newly printed titles: Money, Silver Money (first printed in 1925); Tu Hon (first printed in 1937); Cu Kinh (first printed in 1941) . The recently reprinted titles are: Rich Children; Poor Children; Cowardly Smile; Eat According to the Times, Live According to the Times, Warm and Cold Human Love; Meaning and Love; Rope of Injustice . The titles that will be reprinted next are: Women's Heart; Lord of the Golden Turtle Ship... Up to now, the number of novels by writer Ho Bieu Chanh published by Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House is approximately 30 titles and will continue to expand in the coming time.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/suc-song-manh-liet-cua-cac-tac-pham-van-chuong-ho-bieu-chanh-ve-doi-song-xa-hoi-nam-bo-xua-2024121010071535.htm