The renowned Vietnamese author, Nguyen Nhat Anh, has captivated readers with his literary works exploring youth and adolescence. This article delves into his life and showcases some of the most poignant and beautiful passages from his books.
1 An Introduction to Author Nguyen Nhat Anh
Nguyen Nhat Anh, born on May 7, 1955, in Quang Nam, Vietnam, is a celebrated author known for his contributions to youth literature. With over 100 works to his name, spanning various genres, Nguyen Nhat Anh is considered one of the most successful writers for young audiences in Vietnam.
Prior to his literary career, Nguyen Nhat Anh worked as a teacher and a journalist under various pen names, including Chu Dinh Ngan, Le Duy Cat, Dong Phuong Soc, and Soc Phuong Dong. He had his first poem published at the young age of 13. His breakthrough came in 1984 with the publication of his first novel, “Before the Finals,” which cemented his popularity among readers. Since then, he has dedicated his writing to exploring the lives and experiences of teenagers and young adults.
Nguyen Nhat Anh’s name is synonymous with beloved novels such as “Mắt Biếc” (“Dreamy Eyes”), “Còn Chút Gì Để Nhớ” (“Something to Remember”), “Hạ Đỏ” (“Red Summer”), “Cô Gái Đến Từ Hôm Qua” (“The Girl from Yesterday”), and “Chú Bé Rắc Rối” (“Troublesome Boy”). His works have been repeatedly reprinted and remain enduringly popular, capturing the hearts of readers across generations.
The author has garnered numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 1990, his novel “Troublesome Boy” received the A-class Literature Award from the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union. In 1995, he was voted the most beloved writer over a 20-year period (1975-1995) by readers of the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union and the “Tuoi Tre” (Youth) newspaper. Additionally, the Ho Chi Minh City Writers Association recognized him as one of the 20 most outstanding young writers during the same period.
In 2010, his work “Cho Tôi Xin Một Vé Đi Tuổi Thơ” (“Give Me a Ticket to Childhood”) received the ASEAN Literary Award, further cementing his literary acclaim.
An Introduction to Author Nguyen Nhat Anh
2 Poignant and Beautiful Passages from Nguyen Nhat Anh’s Books
1. “To a child, home is of utmost importance. A child lives in their home as naturally and intimately as they live within their own skin. To leave home causes them pain, just as a rabbit cannot escape its fur.” (“Give Me a Ticket to Childhood”)
2. “Everything adults teach is theoretically correct, but children have an inexplicable compulsion to do things differently in practice.” (“Give Me a Ticket to Childhood”)
3. “During those in-between years, when one is no longer a child but not yet an adult, who hasn’t spent time gazing longingly at someone?” (“I Saw Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass”)
4. “Children don’t know how to nurture prolonged sadness like adults do.” (“I Saw Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass”)
5. “As we grow up, life presents us with numerous paths and countless fates. It is inevitable that people will forget one another.” (“Dreamy Eyes”)
Nguyen Nhat Anh’s Latest Work
6. “I entrusted my love to summer, but summer couldn’t keep it safe. Summer only knows how to bloom, how to turn the schoolyard red with phoenix flowers, and how to sing the cicadas’ song in the leaves. Summer is naive, just like me. It couldn’t do what I asked of it. It allowed Ha Lan to burn me, to burn me to ashes. My heart turned to ash, scattering along the way home.” (“Dreamy Eyes”)
7. “Tra Long, our village will always be beautiful. You understand this better than I do. Our village is beautiful, but it is also sad. When I was a child, the village seemed happier. Perhaps it hasn’t changed, but I see it differently now. As we grow up, things seem less vibrant and less transparent. But I still believe that in your eyes, the world remains intact, even if I am gone by the time you return.” (“Dreamy Eyes”)
8. “There was a person who walked through the chrysanthemums. Leaving behind their childhood. There were two people who walked through the chrysanthemums. Leaving behind their love.” (“Walking Through Chrysanthemums”)
9. “Nature and humanity coexist in harmony, creating a peaceful and loving atmosphere, a world filled with joy and warmth.” (“Making Friends with the Sky”)
10. “It seems like Teo’s heart is always immersed in love. He always finds a way to forgive life, and as a result, his soul remains calm.” (“Making Friends with the Sky”)
“As we grow older, we tend to speak less and think more.” (“I Am BêTô”
11. “If love is not reciprocated, if your love does not evoke a response, if you love but are not loved in return, then it is a powerless love, and it is a misfortune.” (“The Girl from Yesterday”)
12. “I’ve waited for you longer than the colorless days ahead. Nonetheless, I want to say that you are the dearest stranger in my life.” (“The Girl from Yesterday”)
13. “If you treat a dog like a human, it will treat you like a dog.” (“The Little Dog with a Basket of Roses”)
14. “Adults should understand and empathize with children. Not because adults are older, but because adults are ‘children who have grown up.’” (“Thank You, Adults”)
15. “Time has never been a true friend to humans. Time turns our hair into silver strands, our souls into red leaves, and eventually, our lives into wandering white clouds.” (“Thank You, Adults”)
“The Blue Jay Flies Home”
16. “As we grow older, we tend to speak less and think more.” (“I Am BêTô”)
17. “When someone is treated preferentially, they naturally become a thorn in the side of others. Even those who don’t particularly like that person end up resenting them.” (“I Am BêTô”)
18. “You may know that a name is sometimes given randomly by parents, but it is your way of living that continually distills and refines the meaning of your name over the years, allowing it to exude its fragrance.” (“I Am BêTô”)
19. “Love is an internal struggle, where the heart constantly tries to defeat reason, where longing surges but is then subdued by pain.” (“Sitting and Crying on a Tree”)
20. “When you’re in love, you feel a sense of longing. Longing when you’re apart, longing when you’ve just met… Even when you’re together, you long for the moments when you’re not.” (“There Were Two Cats Sitting by the Window”)
“The Green Banana Tree with Green Shoes”
21. “Excessive happiness can sometimes be a trap in life.” (“There Were Two Cats Sitting by the Window”)
22. “When it comes to romance, it means looking at someone, turning away, then looking back, turning away again, and so on. Until your neck gets sore! It’s tedious.” (“Have a Nice Day”)
23. “Memories are always beautiful, and they never betray us.” (“The Green Banana Tree with Green Shoes”)
24. “As we grow up, our joys and sorrows also grow. In my dreams, it’s not just grasshoppers and dragonflies like when I was a child. Now, storms and winds blowing through the thatched roof keep me company. Even my dreams have grown up.” (“The Green Banana Tree with Green Shoes”)
25. “When I first encountered sadness, I realized that my childhood had come to an end.” (“Red Summer”)
26. “When spring arrives,
My love overflows,
Leaves within leaves,
Hands within hands.” (“Leaves within Leaves”)
These are some of the most poignant and beautiful passages from Nguyen Nhat Anh’s books. Known for their gentleness, warmth, and tenderness, his works have touched the hearts of many. Which of Nguyen Nhat Anh’s novels is your favorite? Feel free to share your thoughts with us!
