Notes on "Paradise of the Blind" by Duong Thu Huong

Critical Acclaim

• Describes problems of ordinary people and political reform in Vietnam.
• Praised for its poetic beauty and insight into Vietnamese life.
• Acknowledged for its depiction of Vietnamese history and personal narratives.
• Comparison with American perspectives on Vietnam.

About the Author: Duong Thu Huong

• Born in 1947, Vietnam.
• Served in the Vietnam War and chronicled the 1979 China-Vietnam conflict.
• Advocate for human rights and democracy, faced imprisonment.
• Her works critique the Communist Party's impact on Vietnamese life.

Translator's Note

• Story begins in the 1980s with Hang, a Vietnamese woman working in the Soviet Union.
• Reflects on her family history and desire to escape self-sacrifice.
• Depicts historical events of land reform and partition of Vietnam in 1954.
• Highlights the atrocities and absurdities of land reform campaigns.

Main Characters

• Hang: Protagonist, reflects on her life and family history.
• Uncle Chinh: Communist Party cadre, depicted as authoritative and strict.
• Aunt Tam: Symbol of resilience, remembered Hang's father and provided for Hang.
• Que: Hang's mother, struggles with poverty and family obligations.

Themes

• Tradition vs. Change: Impact of Communist policies on Vietnamese traditions and family.
• Sacrifice and Endurance: Hang's journey reflects self-sacrifice, endurance, and survival.
• Identity and Belonging: Hang's struggle with her cultural identity and family history.

Plot Overview

• Hang works in the Soviet Union, reflecting on her past.
• Flashbacks reveal the impact of Communist reforms on her family.
• Hang's father's family suffered during land reform.
• Uncle Chinh's rise in the Communist Party creates tension in the family.
• Hang learns about her father's tragic fate and mother's struggles.

Historical Context

• Land Reform Campaigns (1953-1956): Redistributed land but caused violence and division.
• Partition of Vietnam (1954): Geneva Accords, temporary division became permanent.
• Cultural and Economic Struggles: Postwar Vietnam faced poverty and corruption.

Symbolism

• Food and Rituals: Reflects cultural identity, love, and social status.
• The Journey: Hang's train journey symbolizes her search for identity and understanding.
• Duckweed Flowers: Represent beauty amidst chaos and uncertainty.

Conclusion

• Hang's story is one of resilience amidst political and personal turmoil.
• "Paradise of the Blind" is a poignant exploration of the complexities of Vietnamese life and history.

Glossary of Terms

• Includes Vietnamese cultural and food terms significant in the novel, such as Ao Dai, Betel, and Pho.