Dumb Luck: A Satirical Novel by Vu Trong PhungIf you are looking for a witty and insightful novel that explores the social and cultural changes in Vietnam during the late colonial era, you might want to check out Dumb Luck by Vu Trong Phung. This novel, first published in Hanoi in 1936, was banned in Vietnam until 1986 because of its controversial and influential critique of the modernization craze that swept the country.
dumb luck vu trong phung ebook download
Dumb Luck tells the story of Red-haired Xuan, a street-smart vagabond who rises to fame and fortune by sheer luck and cunning. Along the way, he encounters various characters and situations that reveal the absurdities and contradictions of colonial society, from the filthy sidewalks of Hanoi's old commercial quarter to the gaudy mansions of the Francophile upper classes. The novel also examines the transformation of traditional Vietnamese class and gender relations triggered by the growth of colonial capitalism.
Vu Trong Phung was arguably the greatest Vietnamese writer of the twentieth century. He died in Hanoi in 1939 at the age of twenty-seven. He wrote at least eight novels, seven plays, and several other works of fiction in addition to Dumb Luck. His works are known for their sharp satire, realistic portrayal of everyday life, and innovative use of language and style.
Dumb Luck is the first translation of a major work by Vu Trong Phung into English. It was translated by Nguyen Nguyet Cam and Peter Zinoman, who are both experts on Vietnamese history and culture. The translation is faithful to the original text, while also capturing its humor and nuance. The book also includes an introduction by Zinoman that provides historical and literary context for the novel.
If you want to read Dumb Luck by Vu Trong Phung, you can download it as an ebook from Google Books[^1^] or WorldCat[^3^]. You can also find more information about the novel and its author from these sources. Dumb Luck is a classic of Vietnamese literature that will entertain and enlighten you with its satire and insight.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Dumb Luck is its use of humor and irony to expose the flaws