Book cover of The Song of Kieu: A New Lament

Book description

'An essential book for anyone invested, not only in Vietnamese literature, but the historic power of the national epic . . . and its perennial place in our species' efforts toward self-knowledge. Tim Allen's new translation offers clean fluidity while honouring the original's varied rhythms and jagged lyricism. A luminousā€¦

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Song of Kieu as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

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Nicholas Jubber
Author

So a 19th century Vietnamese epic poem may not be everyone's cup of tea, but wow I was hooked. Poor Kieu, what a misadventure she goes on, from her swoony early romance with Kim to being sold to a scholar-pimp and having to serve at the Green Pavilion. The writing is wonderfully lyrical, but the story keeps moving, as Kieu is blown around a merciless world, her story floating along in shimmering language and Buddhist philosophy.

From Nicholas' 3 favorite reads in 2024.

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