In the fantastical world of Cao Viet Quynh

Cao Viet Quynh is the youngest delegate at the Ho Chi Minh City Young Writers Conference 2024. Two years ago, Quynh was also the youngest author to receive the National Book Award for her novel series "The Comet Man".

The upcoming novel Dragon Continent

At the Ho Chi Minh City Young Writers Conference 2024, Cao Viet Quynh presented a paper on imagination and creativity in writing.

The author of the novel series "The Comet Man" shared with Tuoi Tre newspaper about the dream world depicted in his book, as well as the thoughts of a young writer facing today's era.

A better world we need to have.

Cao Viet Quynh's writing career began with the three-volume novel "The Comet Man," when Quynh was only 9 years old. Just three years later, Quynh completed "The Comet Man," a novel with fantastical and science fiction elements.

Cao Viet Quynh's debut work

Quỳnh once shared that she idolizes JKRowling and is fascinated by Harry Potter. For Quỳnh, building the fantasy world in the works is her greatest passion:

"Harry Potter was the first book that introduced me to a world hidden from ordinary life. Like many young people at the time, I once wished, and still wish, to receive a letter from Hogwarts."

The appeal of fantasy literature lies in the opportunity to experience lives and worlds that are completely different yet strangely familiar.

In his fantasy world, Cao Viet Quynh desires protagonists who fight for justice and integrity, remain optimistic, and even joke in the most desperate moments, as exemplified in "The Comet Man."

"There was a time when I didn't like it and thought that such characters lacked depth."

"But now I understand, just like the roles of Superman or Captain America in the superhero world, the mission of those characters is to bring hope and faith in justice to people. The Comet doesn't reflect reality but creates a better world that we should strive to achieve," Quỳnh confided.

Live to share your world.

In his presentation at the conference, Cao Viet Quynh stated: "Each book I have written has been created with all my effort and dedication to produce the best work possible."

Cao Viet Quynh - Photo: Tuan Anh

When Quỳnh started writing "The Comet," she didn't have many expectations, only a strong urge to tell a story. And currently, that remains Quỳnh's main motivation: to live to share her world.

"There's a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that I really like: 'Fiction reveals hidden truths.'"

I don't think literature is a collection of "lies," as some people say. No matter how fantastical or unbelievable it may be, it still reflects the truth.

Vietnamese authors pay particular attention to this, as most of their works highlight the beauty of nature that many people overlook, or show us what life was like for previous generations through historical stories.

It could be said that science fiction, the genre I pursue, is the furthest from reality, but the message conveyed through my novels remains the dream of fighting for a better future."

Speaking to Tuổi Trẻ newspaper, Quỳnh said the biggest challenge in her creative journey was the limitation of her experience: "How can I describe a sword fight if I've never held a sword?"

How can I understand the character's sadness if I've never experienced it myself? How can I describe the landmarks and climates of foreign countries—places I've never been to?

Would the people there, those who are experienced and knowledgeable, laugh at my naivety?

I still remember the first time I set foot on a ship, after writing about sailors for some time. I was surprised by the rocking motion, the floor sinking and rising, and the strong wind. If I had experienced those things while writing, I might have been able to write a better piece."

When writing fantasy fiction, Quynh certainly doesn't have the opportunity to experience the fantastical things his characters go through. But with his imagination, experiences, and knowledge he's tried to gather, Quynh believes he can make everything more believable so that readers can immerse themselves in that world.

Cao Viet Quynh was born in 2008 in Hanoi and is currently living and studying in 10th grade in Ho Chi Minh City. Besides the 2022 National Book Award, Quynh's three-volume novel series, " The Comet Man," has also been featured at the 20th Bangkok International Copyright Book Fair, the 50th Thailand National Book Fair, the 30th Beijing International Book Fair, and more. Cao Viet Quynh will soon release five novels in the "Dragon Continent" series and is currently writing a novel tentatively titled "Merlin's Taxi Driver ."

Tuoitre.vn

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/trong-the-gioi-ky-ao-cua-cao-viet-quynh-20241013095948589.htm