"Going to Nowhere": A New Book of Artist Profiles

The author of the book, writer and journalist Nguyen Quynh Trang, offers readers authentic perspectives on artists.

On the afternoon of August 12th, in the tranquil setting of Like Cafe (Hanoi), writer and journalist Nguyen Quynh Trang introduced her new book, "Going to No Destination," to readers. This book is a continuation of her previous six successful books: "1981," "Many Ways to Live," "For a Journey," "24 Hours," "Memory Loss," and "9x09."

This 267-page book, published by Phuong Dong Book Company and the People's Police Publishing House, "Going to No Destination" is a collection of 39 essays, building 39 portraits of artists and writers, including writers, poets, and critics, from seasoned veterans like Nguyen Ngoc, Duong Tuong, Nguyen Huy Thiep, Trung Trung Dinh, Vo Thi Hao… to young writers such as Vu Phuong Nghi, Nguyen The Hoang Linh, Tran Thu Trang, Hoang Anh Tu, Di Li…

The cover of the book "Going to Nowhere"

Many generations of artists and writers are portrayed authentically, vividly, and diversely by Quynh Trang in this book. In this collection of biographical sketches, Quynh Trang primarily describes the crucial connection between literature and the person. Leveraging her skills as both a writer and a journalist, and currently an editor for the "Sports - Culture" newspaper, Quynh Trang utilizes her keen observation and literary sensibility to emphasize this connection between the work and the author—something that purely journalistic writers would find difficult to achieve.

Sharing more about her new book, Quynh Trang said: “Besides writing, I am also a journalist, and writing about the portraits of artists and writers is a job I really love. To create this book, I spent seven years ‘nurturing’ it to bring readers the most accurate information, descriptions, and stories about artists, especially writers and poets. Actually, I read their works and I portray their portraits based on how I perceive and feel through those works. Even among them, there are some I have never met. But all of them are the most authentic and intimate views of their souls that I see through their own creations.”

At the launch of Quỳnh Trang's new work, in addition to the attendance of several individuals whose portraits she has depicted in the book, such as writers Di Li, An Hạ, Hoàng Anh Tú, Dương Tường, and Nguyễn Thị Thu Huệ, there was also the presence of director Việt Tú, painter Phan Cẩm Thượng, and musician Dương Trường Giang, all close artist friends of Quỳnh Trang.

Writer Nguyen Quynh Trang (right) and writer Di Li at the book launch.

Having read the manuscript of the book before its release, artist Phan Cam Thuong frankly commented: "If you say that Quynh Trang's essays are criticism, that's not accurate; she doesn't intend to be, but critical elements and critical remarks appear quite frequently, and can be said to be quite insightful. I don't expect the book to become something too exemplary, but it will offer valuable and noteworthy observations for artists and writers today."

In addition, the book "Going to Nowhere" was also introduced to readers by representatives of Phuong Dong Publishing Company in ebook format.

According to vov.vn - M.D