The Tale of Kieu

A few months ago, when I started looking for books to read about the various countries we will visit, I came across The Tale of Kieu by Nguyễn Du. This is an epic romance poem and part of the national literature of Vietnam. In her preface to the Huynh Sanh Thong translation, Gloria Emerson recounted a visit to Vietnam where a customs official saw a copy of the book in her suitcase.

"You know it?" he asked me in English. I said I hoped to, and it made him smile.

It is also said the most Vietnamese can quote lines from this poem. That sounds daunting since the English translation stretches to 109 pages. I finished reading it a couple of nights ago, but I won't be able to quote any lines from it. I can certainly see how much of it is quotable, and it was enjoyable reading even though I'm sure the Vietnamese version has a nicer sound to the ear of a Vietnamese speaker.

An extensive synopsis is available for those with more interest, but basically, this is the story of a young woman, Kieu, who puts a premium on loyalty, honor, love, and family.

Kieu falls in love with Kim, but Kim is called away to attend to family matters. They have pledged their love and intent to be wed. In the meantime, a slanderous accusation jails Kieu's father, and she sells herself to pay a bribe to have her father released. She goes with her new husband (who is the husband of a madame) to her new home which turns out to be a brothel. She trusts another man and thinks she escapes, but is caught and beaten. Then she falls in love with another man who buys her away and lives a happy life, except he is only living in this town to help his father's business, and must return to his wife. The wife hears rumors of Kieu and has her abducted and forced to be her chamber maid.

There are other escapes and relationships along the way as Kieu seeks to find happiness and eventually re-unite with her family and perhaps Kim.

This story is filled with deceit, broken promises and the idea that love will conquer. It would fill an entire season of a soap opera.

To give you a feel for some of the verse (translated) read this passage after young Kim meets Kieu.

Back in his room, surrounded by his books,
Kim could not shut Kieu's image from his mind.
He drained the cup of gloom--it filled anew:
One day away from her: three autumns long.

or later in the book:

"Each action, good or ill, weighs in the scale.
When judged for her past sins, Kieu must be charged
with reckless love, but not with wanton lust.
Requiting love for love, she sold herself
and saved her father: Heaven did take note.

and near the end:

A Karma each of us has to live out:
let's stop decrying Heaven's quirks and whims.
Within us each there lies the root of good:
the heart means more than all talents on earth.

This is a story to read in many sittings. Find a copy and enjoy.