Kim Van Kieu of Nguyen Du: 1765-1820 by Vladislav Zhukov

By Vladislav Zhukov

The "Kim Van Kieu" of Nguyen Du, written within the early 19th century and often thought of to be a defining masterpiece of Vietnamese literature, is the tale of an informed and lovely younger lady who suffers misfortune and degradation prior to acquiring justice and peace. it's a lengthy poem in a fancy metric and rhyme scheme that's distinctively Vietnamese. Vladislav Zhukov right here offers the 1st English-language translation, completely conveying the poetic kind of the unique paintings and thereby generating a literary construction in English that's similar to Nguyen Du's genius in Vietnamese―one that may be preferred as poetry in English.

Show description

Read or Download Kim Van Kieu of Nguyen Du: 1765-1820 PDF

Similar asian books

Three Cups of Deceit: How Greg Mortenson, Humanitarian Hero, Lost His Way

 Greg Mortenson, the bestselling writer of 3 Cups of Tea, is a guy who has equipped a world recognition as a selfless humanitarian and children’s crusader, and he’s been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. yet, as Jon Krakauer demonstrates during this widely researched and penetrating e-book, he isn't all that he seems to be.

Nets of awareness: Urdu poetry and its critics

Frances Pritchett's full of life, compassionate publication joins literary feedback with background to give an explanation for how Urdu poetry--long the delight of Indo-Muslim culture--became devalued within the moment half the 19th century. This abrupt shift, Pritchett argues, was once a part of the backlash following the violent Indian Mutiny of 1857.

ASIAN HIGHLANDS PERSPECTIVES Volume 12: Silence in the Valley of Songs

The textual content and multiple hundred full-page colour plates rfile Tibetan people song (particularly paintings songs), and native lifestyles within the Sman shod Valley, Sde dge County, Dkar mdzes Tibetan self reliant Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China. Bo nyed, an area elder, describes what prompted this well timed documentation, "In the previous we sang always, yet now humans do not sing regardless of the place they're or what they're doing.

One China, Many Paths

The world’s biggest state is now a continuing subject of fascination or worry within the West, generating an ever expanding literature of scholarship, reportage and tourism. during this quantity, the differing voices and perspectives of top chinese language thinkers can for the 1st time be heard in English translation, debating the way forward for their society and its position on the earth.

Extra resources for Kim Van Kieu of Nguyen Du: 1765-1820

Sample text

The reaved Vuong delved abroad to plumb the mean affair … It stemmed from libels by some hopeless wretch out there who sold silk flock! The house succumbed to stunned paralysis en bloc … Then trance to wailing turned—this wicked wrong will rock the pillared sky! … A day of noisy pleas and countless bows passed by: Deaf dwelt compassion’s ear; mute, lips that might decry barbarities— They hung the victims by their heels from rafter trees! A statue might have quaked with dread set down where these two souls were flayed, Have laughed or cried at that procedural charade … The gods stood distant in those days, and prayers for aid, appeals to draw High heed, unanswered went: earth’s wardens of the law Still wreaked at will their ribald rapes—brutes, vast in craw, in virtue naught!

One day they met by chance; it was as if uncoached Two coster-cooks of bitter gourd and sawdust broached each other’s pies … 43 Kim Vân Kieu 815 820 825 830 44 They made ménage and joined in common enterprise: While Tu at home coerced the scented merchandise and turned the trade, Ma trekked to markets and to villages and made Fantastic promises to teach girls highly paid domestic trades … Some pain to each our numen-ward in heaven lades, But what was doled to her who waits in midnight shades is rare travail.

He chides: ‘Thus ends love’s fickle blaze! ’ 21 Kim Vân Kieu 385 390 395 400 22 And Kieu grieves thus: ‘Winds caught and baulked me, rains’ delays Endured, and so submitted I, my friend, to ways that used thee ill. ’ Past brush and rock array the wall’s secluded end Conceals a new collapse, where rough-laid beams extend across the breach— Kim heaves … and bares to both the Palace of the Peach! Broad-parted clouds disclose wherewith may mortals reach the gods’ abode! ’ Her nymph’s hand floats—and leaves strange sentiments that dress Anew that scene: hid winds and thunders would egress!

Download PDF sample

Rated 4.20 of 5 – based on 38 votes