I use the word "very unusual" for several reasons. Tran Bao Dinh was born in 1944 in An Vinh Ngai village ( Long An province); although his literary career spans only a little over a decade, he has already published 33 works. While it's true that quality is paramount in literature, not all of those 33 works are outstanding, few writers have produced works with as many unique qualities as Tran Bao Dinh.
Writer of the Southern Land
The first surprising thing is perhaps that few writers, despite their relatively short literary careers, are chosen as the subject of dissertations by graduate students at many universities like Tran Bao Dinh. Another unusual aspect is that, in a context where literary books, especially those without content catering to popular tastes and trends, are difficult to publish, Tran Bao Dinh's books are still invested in and brought to market by publishers. The print run of each work ranges from 1,500 to 2,000 copies, which, while not large, is a stable level for a writer who doesn't engage in media hype or sensationalist content. These factors demonstrate that Tran Bao Dinh's works have reached artistic and humanistic values, possessing a strong appeal to readers.
Tran Bao Dinh was a literature student at Da Lat University. That initial education enabled him to continuously learn and research. With a rich knowledge base and life experience, having participated in the revolution since his student days and constantly working in a field that allowed him to explore and closely observe the southern regions, Tran Bao Dinh, though relatively late in his literary career, found his writing to be brimming with energy.
Tran Bao Dinh's works provide readers with a vast amount of knowledge about the fertile southern region of Vietnam, rich in historical and revolutionary stories. We see almost the entire history and life of this land, from the time of land reclamation to the heroic battles against foreign invaders; from the names of rivers and canals to the formation of temples and shrines throughout the countryside; from traditional dishes to folk songs and anecdotes… Even without considering the artistic expression, this abundance of material already brings significant value to Tran Bao Dinh's works. Many have commented that Tran Bao Dinh's works are a prime example of the documentary literature genre that is gaining increasing attention today.
Through his works, Tran Bao Dinh has continued the path of previous generations of Southern Vietnamese writers, continuing the journey of vividly depicting the people and land of the South of the country, leaving a lasting impression on readers.
From storytelling to historical research
Many acknowledge that Tran Bao Dinh deserves the title of "Modern Folk Storyteller." If we use statistical methods, often employed by researchers to survey an author, we find that in the short story "Old Man Nam, the Stone Mortar Man," which opens the collection "Rain on the Plains," Tran Bao Dinh quotes folk songs six times.
Tran Bao Dinh's folk-like quality is also evident in his storytelling style, often beginning with the name of a place or a quirky or eccentric character to pique the reader's curiosity (such as "Five Stone Mortars," "Two Clay Pots," "Mr. Tu Solves the Problem," etc.), then gradually revealing layers of the story's secrets. He also skillfully employs humorous language, witty riddles, and jokes in a "down-to-earth" way. As writer Bich Ngan commented on his debut work, "The Life of a Three-Crab," she stated: "Tran Bao Dinh used Southern Vietnamese language in a down-to-earth, humorous way, but alongside the witty tone, there is a hidden philosophical depth."
Among Tran Bao Dinh's works, there is a rather special short story titled "Mourning Those Days…" (included in the short story collection of the same name). In just over a dozen printed pages, the short story encapsulates three distinctive characteristics of Tran Bao Dinh: he is both an ecological writer, a modern folk storyteller, and skillfully conveys an epic narrative. The story features only two "insignificant" characters living in a peaceful village by the Bao Dinh River, yet it possesses a unique ecological setting characteristic of the riverine region, a simple yet noble love story, and the harsh realities of human emotions.
In recent years, writer Tran Bao Dinh has devoted much effort to research, as evidenced by nearly a dozen published books, including the three-volume series "Land of Vietnam, Southern Sky: Biographies" and "Marks of Time," which have been widely read. In these works, Tran Bao Dinh demonstrates not only his writing ability but also his strong political acumen when writing about historical figures such as Nguyen An Ninh and Ta Thu Thau…
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tran-bao-dinh-mot-doi-van-rat-la-post845338.html
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