56 pages • 1 hour read
The Sorrow of War: A Novel of North Vietnam
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Book Brief
240
Novel • Fiction
Vietnam • 1960s-1980s
1987
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Bảo Ninh's The Sorrow of War, Kien, a war veteran, grapples with the pervasive sorrow and trauma inflicted by the Vietnam War, both through recollections from his time in combat and his post-war experiences as he attempts to write a novel about his and others’ losses. Please be aware that the book addresses sensitive topics such as death, sexual violence, and the psychological impacts of war.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Dark
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
11,072 ratings
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Review Roundup
Bảo Ninh's The Sorrow of War is heralded for its poignant and haunting portrayal of a Vietnamese soldier's post-war life, capturing the trauma and emotional fallout of conflict. Critics praise its raw narrative and lyrical prose but note its nonlinear structure may be challenging. Overall, it’s seen as a powerful, albeit complex, reflection on the human cost of war.
Who Should Read The Sorrow of War?
Readers who appreciate deeply moving and poignant war literature akin to The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien or All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque will find solace in The Sorrow of War by Bảo Ninh. This novel blends haunting narrative with the grim realities of conflict, perfect for those intrigued by human endurance amid devastation.
11,072 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Phuong
Phuong
Kien's childhood sweetheart, whose life is deeply affected by the war, symbolizing what Kien has lost as they endure separate hardships during and after the conflict.
Kien’s Father
Kien’s Father
A member of the older generation in Vietnam, whose life was impacted by the Communist Party, leading to his decline in health and eventual disillusionment with his artistic pursuits.
240
Novel • Fiction
Vietnam • 1960s-1980s
1987
Adult
18+ years
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