HCM CITY — Vietnamese author Nguyễn Nhật Ánh has released a new book titled Ra Bờ Suối Ngắm Hoa Ken Hồng.

Ra Bờ Suối Ngắm Hoa Ken Hồng (Going to the Stream to See Pink Lilies) is the fifth book by Ánh with funny animals as the main characters, after his previous novels such as “Toi la Beto” (I am Beto), Có Hai Con Meo Ngồi Ben Cửa Sổ (There Are Two Cats Sitting by the Window),  Chuc Mot Ngay Tốt Lanh” (Have a Good Day), Con Chó Nhỏ Mang Giỏ Hoa Hồng” (The Little Dog Carrying a Basket of Roses).

The 336-page book contains lessons about compassion, honesty, friendship, and courage that can defeat cruelty and bad habits.

Ánh revealed, during the time of composing, his soul was heavily affected when many of his friends died from COVID-19. So writing this book was a way for him to revive himself.

"I started writing this book in March 2021," Ánh said.

"I chose to write about animals to find peace, although before that I was thinking of another book. The innocent, bustling, joyful world of funny animals helps my soul regain balance. For me it is like spiritual therapy. I hope that readers when reading this book will also find peace and warmth in these days."

The writer also collaborated with Trẻ (Youth) Publishing House and Sai Gòn Zoo and Botanical Garden to implement a series of meaningful activities such as giving badges to readers when visiting the zoo, donating food to the Douc langur, a rare endemic primate species in Viet Nam at the zoo from now until the Lunar New Year, which falls on February 1 this year.

According to Nguyễn Thanh Nam, deputy director of Trẻ Publishing House, Ra Bờ Suối Ngắm Hoa Ken Hồng were officially released nationwide on Sunday with 100,000 copies, including 80,000 paperback copies and 20,000 special hardcover copies.

The hardcover edition is printed in full colour with illustrations of animals and published only once. In addition, there will be special gifts attached to the book such as bookmarks, cards and mini version of the book Út Quyen va Toi (Út Quyen and I).

Ánh began writing in 1984 and is known for his simple style and accurate depiction of children’s minds.

His best-selling works in the 1990s, such as Kính Vạn Hoa (Kaleidoscope) and Thằng Quỷ Nhỏ (The Mischievous Boy), are still popular today. 

In 2007, Ánh's Cho Toi Xin Mot Ve Đi Về Tuổi Thơ (Ticket to Childhood) was a hit and sold more than 20,000 copies in the first weeks of its release.

It won the Southeast Asian Writers Award presented by the Thai royal family in 2010. It has been translated into Thai and published by Thailand-based publisher Nanmee Books.

In 2019, his teen romance novel Mắt Biếc (Dreamy Eyes) was adapted to film and recently won the Golden Lotus for Feature Film at the 22nd Viet Nam Film Festival. — VNS