Ut’s Cry by Nguyen Chi Trung

Novels and short stories have once again dominated the list of awards this year by the Viet Nam Writers Association, with a notable absence of poems and non-fiction.

Four novels and short stories were recognised this year by the Viet Nam Writers Association, among 20 finalists. They are Ngoi Nha Xua Ben Suoi (The Old House by the River) a short story by Cao Duy Son; Song Chim (Sink Wave) by Dinh Kinh; Tieng Khoc Cua Nang Ut (Ut’s Cry) by Nguyen Chi Trung, and Ten Toi La Do (My Name Is Red) by Orhan Pamuk, a translation by Pham Viem Phuong and Huynh Kim Oanh.

While plenty of prose was submitted this year, and received national attention, the lack of poems and non-fiction seems to be an ongoing trend, as this is the second year neither genre is recognised by this award.

The award-winning authors are all familiar names as well, especially 80-year old writer Nguyen Chi Trung, with a noticeable lack of young authors.

Words, words

Poems were on the list of finalists, including U75 Tu Tinh by Le Dat, Coi Lang by Nguyen Khoa Diem, Phia Ben Kia Cay Cau by Dinh Thi Nhu Thuy and a theoretical not chosen as finalists piece of non-fiction. These pieces were looked over by the association, but not chosen as finalists. They received strong praise throughout the year and were widely published.

These poems even received a flurry of private literary awards, such as La Trau and Bach Viet prizes, some of them bringing in millions of dong.

The winning pieces will be published in a book by the Viet Nam Writers Association. (VNS)