The Land I Lost by Huynh Quang Nhuong

The Land I Lost is a biography about the hamlet where Huynh Quang Nhuong grew up before and during the Vietnam War. It seems strange to say it is a biography of a place, but in fact the "land" is the most important thing discussed in the book.

In each chapter, the reader discovers the dangers, joys, and stories of the jungle, river, and homes in and near the hamlet where Huynh grew up. I learned about the most dangerous animals in the areas and read stories of what happened to people who had run-ins with them. I got to know the water buffalo, Tank, that loyally served Huhnh's family. Tank not only helped in the field, but also helped catch fish, eels, otters and protect the people from wild hogs and tigers.

While not explicitely stated in the text, I inferred that the people learned to live with nature. They seemed to respect it as something to understand, use and protect themselves against as necessary, but not something to overtake or ruin.

At the beginning of the text, the author provides a note giving some background as to how secluded the hamlet was and the background of his family. At the end of the note, he writes: "I always planned to return to my hamlet to live the rest of my life there. But war disrupted my dreams. The land I love was lost to me forever." (p. xi) However, the war is not mentioned again until the last few chapters. He writes: "Once, during the endless years of fighting in Vietnam, a rocket blew up the bamboo bush." (p.124) and "One day when I was in the field with the herd, fierce fighting between the French forces and the Resistance led by Ho Chi Mihn erupted in our hamlet." (p.125)

I appreciated that the author chose to remind the reader of what the war cost him and what it ruined, but was mentioned briefly enough that I was able to enjoy the stories of his youth. I also appreciate that the author mentioned it at the beginning and ending only. It set the stage for my reading; I read knowing that things must not be the same anymore. And, it finished my reading; I read about how the war destroyed one of the most precious things in Huynh's childhood.

As a self-absorbed American (aren't we all?) I know little about Vietnam except how America was involved in the war. Now I understand a little more about the culture, people and land there--at least prior to the war.