Tet in Hell Village 2: Continuing the fantastical folk literature style.

The novel "Tet in Hell Village 2 - The Ghost of the Clay Statue" by writer Thao Trang, published by Vietnam Women's Publishing House and Saola Books in early April 2025, continues the series of books about mysterious Vietnamese folk supernatural phenomena.

Writer Thao Trang (fourth from the left) at a meet-and-greet event at Ho Chi Minh City Book Street on March 30.

Thao Trang, the author of many horror works with a strong folk flavor, has completed part 2 of "Tet in Hell Village" after the success of the first part (adapted into a 12-episode series of the same name in 2023) as well as "The Soul Eater" (also adapted into a feature film released in theaters in 2023).

In Part 2 of "The Ghost of the Earth Statue," spanning over 530 pages, Thao Trang continues to delve deeply into spirituality, beliefs, and stories from the memories of villages and communities. The plot is elevated to a horror level, with many hidden meanings behind power struggles, covert trade wars, and the pervasive presence of evil threatening ordinary people.

The protagonist, Hai Dong, is a young man who has struggled through life, once abandoned, yet chooses to stand up and fight for justice, joining his villagers to break the foreign-influenced spell and protect the spiritual essence of the land. The work includes the lines: “Even if rivers dry up and mountains crumble, even if countless lifetimes pass, as long as this nation survives, there will always be heroes in the South. Hai Dong firmly believes this. He gripped his bamboo staff tightly, gazing up at the sky on the first day of the new year.”

The new installment of "Tet in Hell Village" contains poignant stories of human relationships, fate, and "wandering souls," captivating readers who enjoy exploring the fantasy genre. At the same time, the story provides compelling material for the Vietnamese horror film genre, which blends folk elements with modern, unique touches that director Tran Huu Tan is pursuing.

TN

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202504/tet-o-lang-dia-nguc-2-noi-tiep-chat-van-hoc-dan-gian-ky-ao-a0951a1/