(VOVworld)- The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced the list of nominations for the 4^th Ho Chi Minh awards and the State awards for Literature and the Arts. Writer Ma Van Khang, who is famed for his many novels including “Summer Rain”, “The season of fallen leaves”, and “Alone in life”, was among the list, thanks to his significant contribution to the country’s literature. 

Ma Van Khang and his new novel

Ma Van Khang, whose real name is Dinh Trong Toan, used to be known for his works about ethnic minorities of Vietnam’s mountainous regions. But his works about the urban areas during the country’s early years of the renewal process, have secured him a firm foothold in Vietnam’s modern literature. His novel “summer rain”, published in 1982, in which the author criticized negative issues in society at that time, is still very popular among readers today.  Literary critic Luu Khanh Tho told VOV: "I’m especially interested in the character Seoly in Ma Van Khang’s book called “Seoly, who inspired people to love”. I think Ma Van Khang is like Seo Ly as he inspired people to the modern literature of Vietnam. This author has contributed sizably to the transitional period of Vietnam’s literature. I still remembered his novel “Summer rain” which faced many critics on its debut as it mentioned many sensitive social issues at the time. But by now, many people have acknowledged that the book touched upon many matters of the country’s renewal literature as well as the literature’s forecasting role in society."
After “summer rain”, Ma Van Khang’s book “The season of fallen leaves” also attracted huge attention from public. His book was then used as script of a same name drama by Director Quoc Trong. Ma Van Khang said: to him, writing means telling stories of people’s fates as well as their struggles to keep themselves from any evil temptations. The author shares his thoughts with VOV: "It’s social law that people live to both enjoy and suffer life. If they want to live, they have to struggle, and of course their struggles will cause them wounds. I don’t want an easy beauty. A true beauty must survive many losses, and even sacrifices, to secure its position in life."
Although not being in good health, the 76 year-old writer has never thought of stopping writing. He just released 2 novels called “The night” and “Haven”, written in a brand new style where the author conveys his thought of people’s fates and the social negative sides to readers. Literary critic Lai Nguyen An spoke to VOV: "Many peers of his age have stopped writing while many others write less. But Ma Van Khang is still very patient with work. He writes tirelessly and regularly and it’s very amazing that every work of him has been always welcomed by the public. I can tell he has been successful in his work."
Ma Van Khang’s writing career includes 200 short stories, 15 novels, as well as many essays, notes, and his own memoirs.

VOV