Dr. Bùi Duy Tâm Reads the Short Story Collection Mê Cung by Đào Văn Bình

Calitoday (08/05/2025):

Because the book is titled Mê Cung (The Maze), I began by reading the story "Mê Cung." The protagonist, Mê Cung, is a talented but unsuccessful musician who harbors resentment and despair, leading him to seek conversations with ghosts. He visits a house reputed to be haunted, hoping to spend the night and encounter a spirit. The author's storytelling is so skillful that he describes the musician's experiences—meeting various individuals and spending the night—leading the reader to believe no ghost was encountered. Yet, just as the protagonist is about to leave in disappointment, he realizes he had indeed met a ghost.

Reading Đào Văn Bình's "Mê Cung," I found it more engaging than Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio by Pu Songling. Initially, everything appears ordinary and realistic, without the need for supernatural elements. However, the twist at the end makes the story exceptionally captivating.

Turning the book over, I read the first story, "Only Heaven Can Kill." It narrates the tale of two southern gentlemen (reminiscent of the old Bạc Liêu aristocrats) who challenge each other with the notion that "Only Heaven Can Kill." In 13 pages, the author uses the backdrop of southern society during the transitional period between French and Japanese rule to convey a philosophy of life: events occur due to pride, arrogance, or self-respect, akin to tragedies in history (such as those involving Nguyễn Tri Phương, Phan Thanh Giản, or more recently, Nguyễn Khoa Nam, and even the ancient story of the Trưng Sisters). Ultimately, outcomes are determined either by fate ("Only Heaven Can Kill") or human actions ("Only People Can Kill").

The author addresses these themes with a masterful pen and profound prose, illustrating not just a philosophy of life but grounding it in real-life experiences.

Despite our age difference (he in his 90s, I in my 80s), I am a devoted admirer of author Đào Văn Bình. I have had the privilege of meeting and discussing literature with some of Vietnam's foremost writers, poets, and musicians, such as Văn Cao, Hoàng Cầm, Trần Dần, Nguyễn Huy Thiệp, Dương Thu Hương, Hữu Loan, Huy Cận, Nguyễn Chí Thiện, Trịnh Công Sơn, and Phạm Duy. After reading Mê Cung by Đào Văn Bình, I recognize him as a deserving leading figure in Vietnamese literature.

Bùi Duy Tâm

(Cựu Kim Sơn, October 8, 2024)