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Dumb Luck: A Novel by Vu Trong Phung (Southeast Asia: Politics, Meaning, And Memory),Used
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Banned in Vietnam until 1986, Dumb Luckby the controversial and influential Vietnamese writer Vu Trong Phungis a bitter satire of the rage for modernization in Vietnam during the late colonial era. First published in Hanoi during 1936, it follows the absurd and unexpected rise within colonial society of a streetsmart vagabond named Redhaired Xuan. As it charts Xuan's fantastic social ascent, the novel provides a panoramic view of late colonial urban social order, from the filthy sidewalks of Hanoi's old commercial quarter to the gaudy mansions of the emergent Francophile northern upper classes. The transformation of traditional Vietnamese class and gender relations triggered by the growth of colonial capitalism represents a major theme of the novel.Dumb Luck is the first translation of a major work by Vu Trong Phung, arguably the greatest Vietnamese writer of the twentieth century. The novel's clever plot, richly drawn characters and humorous tone and its preoccupation with sex, fashion and capitalism will appeal to a wide audience. It will appeal to students and scholars of Vietnam, comparative literature, colonial and postcolonial studies, and Southeast Asian civilization.Vu Trong Phung died in Hanoi, in 1939 at the age of twentyseven. He is the author of at least eight novels, seven plays, and several other works of fiction in addition to Dumb Luck.Peter Zinoman is Associate Professor of Southeast Asian History, University of California, Berkeley. Nguyen Nguyet Cam is Vietnamese Language Instructor, University of California, Berkeley.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'Dumb Luck'? A: The main theme of 'Dumb Luck' revolves around the transformation of traditional Vietnamese class and gender relations due to the growth of colonial capitalism in Vietnam during the late colonial era.
- Q: Who is the author of 'Dumb Luck'? A: The author of 'Dumb Luck' is Vu Trong Phung, a notable Vietnamese writer known for his controversial and influential works.
- Q: What is the significance of the character Red-haired Xuan? A: Red-haired Xuan is a street-smart vagabond whose absurd rise within colonial society serves as the central narrative of the novel, illustrating the complexities of social ascent in a rapidly modernizing Vietnam.
- Q: When was 'Dumb Luck' first published? A: 'Dumb Luck' was first published in Hanoi in 1936 and was banned in Vietnam until 1986.
- Q: What type of readers would enjoy 'Dumb Luck'? A: 'Dumb Luck' will appeal to students and scholars of Vietnam, comparative literature, colonial and postcolonial studies, and Southeast Asian civilization due to its rich themes and social commentary.
- Q: What is the format and page count of 'Dumb Luck'? A: 'Dumb Luck' is available in paperback format and contains 199 pages.
- Q: Who translated 'Dumb Luck'? A: The translation of 'Dumb Luck' was done by Peter Zinoman, who is an Associate Professor of Southeast Asian History at the University of California, Berkeley.
- Q: What are some key features of 'Dumb Luck'? A: 'Dumb Luck' features a clever plot, richly drawn characters, and a humorous tone, focusing on themes of sex, fashion, and capitalism.
- Q: What is the item condition for 'Dumb Luck'? A: 'Dumb Luck' is listed as a new item.
- Q: What is the published date of 'Dumb Luck'? A: 'Dumb Luck' was published on June 5, 2002.