Literary Echoes of Vietnam’s 1975 Victory:

While the bombs were falling, only a stone wouldn’t be terrified. If the Americans noticed movement in the forest, they would eliminate the forest. Who knows how much money was spent? American taxpayers’ money. If a cluster of napalm bombs were dropped, the jungle would turn into a sea of fire. Can you imagine a sea of fire? –Bao Ninh

Join with the MEP Literature Group to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1975 fall of Saigon, bringing an end to the Vietnam War. This month, we will read two volumes by Bao Ninh–The Sorrow of War and Hà Nôi at Midnight. 

Born in October 1952, Bao Ninh experienced the effects of US bombing while growing up and later joined the “Glorious 27th Youth Brigade” at the age of 17. Bao Ninh’s writing offers restrained, poignant, yet powerful accounts of the “sorrow of war,” the losses and grief of a generation who fought to unify the country.

Convened by Jacqueline Cantwell and the MEP Literature Reading Group. Jacqueline Cantwell became involved with the MEP’s Literature Group because of her love of Victor Serge’s  novels. Participating in an MEP reading group led by Serge translator Richard Greeman eight years ago, Jacqueline found a community of readers eager to be challenged by the ambitions of international writers devoted to the creative potential of political fiction. Since the death of Michael Lardner, who hosted and organized the Literature Group for so many years, Jacqueline has taken the lead in furthering the group’s goals of exploring international fiction and encouraging thoughtful conversation.

(Bao Ninh quote from Ken Burns’ series The Vietnam War)