What is human?" and contemporary issues in the novel "Different Version"

Who am I?

With *Variant* , young writer and engineer Nguyen Dinh Khoa returns to the novel genre. Published by Tre Publishing House, the book opens with a scene deeply rooted in the author's profession.

The narrator, Phuc Giang, a civil engineer, was involved in an accident during a site inspection of a cable-stayed bridge construction project when the scaffolding on one of the bridge's pillars collapsed. He fell into the river and lost consciousness.

Unusual events begin to unfold when Giang is saved by Frank, a brilliant but extremist scientist.

Waking up and returning to normal life, the engineer was almost in a semi-conscious state. During that time, memories of his family and life in the riverside countryside flooded back.

The lingering memories of the past and the unanswered questions about her loved ones make Giang yearn to find answers.

Book cover of "Variant" (Photo: Tre Publishing House).

The truth about Giang's identity gradually unfolds, and fragmented memories are pieced together as he meets EVIV, a cloned individual.

From here, he enters another world – a modern and intelligent world created by Frank, aiming to prepare an entirely new force to replace humanity on Earth. A silent but fierce war is about to erupt from here.

The alternate version – a story set in a fictional world – is not just about love, family, and loss – inevitable experiences that everyone goes through, such as loneliness as the price we pay for growing up.

This is also a story about the role and responsibility of human beings towards the world they live in.

The author guides readers to confront the challenges and consequences of the modern world, such as war, the environment, and the development of artificial intelligence, using an emotionally charged writing style.

Humans are destroying the planet, so is "replacing humans" the solution? Once artificial intelligence can do more and more things like humans, or even better, what will remain of the unique characteristics of humanity?

These profoundly existential questions have been posed throughout human history, not only by philosophers, but by anyone who, at some point in their life, asks themselves.

This variant reflects Nguyen Dinh Khoa's perspective and responses to these issues.

Young author Nguyen Dinh Khoa (Photo: Tre Publishing House).

Will humanity be replaced by "alien versions"?

In *The Variant* , the author sees the misfortunes of humanity: from the pain of a family whose young child drowned and went missing, leaving behind torment and heartbreak for those who remain.

Grief and sorrow drive Du, a transgender woman, to suicide. But as pain intensifies, such as environmental destruction and a crisis of definition of "what it means to be human" as artificial intelligence advances, creating an indistinguishable "human clone" is no longer out of reach.

Will humanity become extinct and be replaced by genetically modified "aliens" that are superior and behave "perfectly" better?

One of the problems that the work   This also highlights one of the factors affecting young people today, especially the generation that experienced the pandemic: loneliness and a lack of connection. Family members become "strangers living under the same roof."

The book has a science fiction (sci-fi) feel to it, but the author's primary purpose doesn't seem to be to delve into the detailed construction of a futuristic world; rather, it's a way to stimulate the characters and the reader to reflect:

"If humans engage in self-destructive behavior, losing connection with those around them and with life; if artificial intelligence can develop its own independent reasoning… then what defines humanity?"

The author stated that the idea for "The Alternate Version" stemmed from a very simple concept: to write about the desperate efforts of someone who had suffered emotional abuse and wanted to reconnect with their loved ones.

"From the tragedy of a family, I put the character in the picture of the times: epidemic, the explosion of artificial intelligence to the prospect of human extinction.

"We are gradually losing the connection between people and between people and their surrounding environment. And amidst the changing world, they learn lessons to survive and be understood," said Dinh Khoa.

A collection of young adult literature books from Tre Publishing House (Photo: Tre Publishing House).

Nguyen Dinh Khoa is a persistent young writer. His novel * Solitary Journey* won the 6th Young Writers' Literary Award in 2018.

His works stem from an inner urge, bearing the strong imprint of his profession and personal understanding, creating appeal and empathy in the reader.

Tre Publishing House publishes four titles by young domestic authors, in the direction of accompanying Vietnamese authors.

The four works include: Flying Camel by Vo Dang Khoa; Variant by Dinh Khoa; Two People in a Drawer by Phat Duong and A Place Without Snow by Huynh Trong Khang.

Source link: https://dantri.com.vn/van-hoa/the-nao-la-con-nguoi-va-nhung-van-de-thoi-dai-trong-truyen-dai-di-ban-20231218165711175.htm