Book cover of "Autobiography of a Pig" |
The name Ly Lan is not unfamiliar, as she is a translator and novelist, associated with many generations through her translation of Harry Potter (JKRowling). She is also a writer of children's stories, including "The House in the Grass," which won the A prize in the children's writing competition of the Vietnam Writers Association in 1984. In 2009, the writer returned with "The Secret Between Me and the Black Lizard." This time, "Autobiography of a Pig" earned Ly Lan the Cricket Knight Award.
The story is about Tí Heo, a small, lost wild boar. His memories are hazy; he only remembers falling out of a drunkard's hairy armpit, then being dragged away by Nô Nô's dog and abandoned in the garden of Mrs. Trời Đất Ơi in a humble boarding house on the outskirts of the city. In the chaotic boarding house, Tí Heo faces many hardships, sometimes narrowly escaping being caught and... roasted. Thanks to Mrs. Trời Đất Ơi and her husband, Thúy and Thanh, and the constant support of Nô Nô and an old goat, Tí Heo finds a safe and secure place to live.
Gradually, Little Pig realized that life needed freedom. Over time, Little Pig accumulated many lessons and bravely chose a life for himself. Living without imitating anyone became his motto, and the once naive young wild pig gradually became more independent, deciding to choose a life full of adventure ahead in order to fulfill his desire to return to the mountains and forests, to the origins of his species.
It's fascinating to read "Autobiography of a Pig" and draw parallels to "The Adventures of Cricket," each work possessing its own unique style but both rich in humanistic values and timeless appeal. "Autobiography of a Pig" is set in modern Saigon, from the verdant suburbs to the bustling city streets. The journey of the wild boar is an adventure from the farm to the city, facing humorous yet dangerous situations. The adventure focuses on exploring the world and seeking personal freedom.
Meanwhile, The Adventures of Cricket is set in a rural insect world, depicted as a miniature society with creatures like grasshoppers, praying mantises, frogs, and birds. Cricket's journey is longer, spanning many stages, from arrogance leading to mistakes (causing the death of Grasshopper) to redemption and becoming a "knight" protecting justice. Pig's journey is concise, focusing on personal experiences, while Cricket's is an epic story with many moral and social lessons.
Both use language accessible to children, but Ly Lan leans towards a cheerful and carefree style, while To Hoai's is more philosophical and profound. The autobiography of a modern pig is concise, while The Adventures of Cricket has a longer, more complex structure, like a novel.
Those who were once captivated by the works of To Hoai will gain new insights and reflections from a different, poetic perspective on the world of animals and children when reading Ly Lan's book. And for young children who haven't yet encountered "The Adventures of Cricket," they can immediately enjoy "The Autobiography of a Pig," a cheerful, concise story that brings laughter and warmth. It's like a refreshing glass of water on a summer day, easy to enjoy, evoking dreams and innocence in young children.
An Nhien (introduction)
Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/tu-truyen-mot-con-heo-nhu-ly-nuoc-mat-trong-ngay-he-156017.html
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