Danlambao - We are pleased to introduce the book “Fire In The Rain” to readers of Danlambao. The book’s author is Tuấn Cao-Đắc, a regular contributor to our blog. Tuấn has published on Dân Làm Báo several poems and articles on the democracy struggle in Vietnam, the Vietnam history in the 20th and 21st centuries, Vietnamese idioms, and a series of essays on music in pre-1975 South Vietnam. Tuấn has written a number of novels and short stories, but “Fire In The Rain” is his first published book. We hope readers of Dân Làm Báo will enjoy the book as much as they enjoy Tuấn’s articles, and buy the book as a show of support for Tuấn. Information on how to purchase the book is at the end of this article.
The following is the interview with Tuấn about his book.
Interview with Tuấn Cao-Đắc
Danlambao (DLB): Thank you for accepting our invitation for this interview.
Tuấn Cao-Đắc (TCĐ): Thank you for your invitation. It’s my pleasure to talk with you about my book.
DLB: Would you please tell us when and why you decided to write “Fire In The Rain”?
TCĐ: The idea of writing a historical short story collection came to me in 2011. At that time, I had finished three novels, one of which was a long historical fiction about Princess Ngọc Hân and Nguyễn Huệ. I couldn’t find any publisher willing to publish these books because it’s very hard to find an agent to deal with the publishers. While waiting, I started thinking about writing a collection of historical short stories to introduce the history of Vietnam to the American audience. The history of Vietnam has always fascinated me. I wanted to write about the history of Vietnam in such a way that readers who want to learn about our history would not be bored with details about people, dates, and events, as usually depicted in history textbooks. I found historical fiction an effective tool to teach students about history and to help readers gain a deeper understanding of historical facts. Another reason is that I wanted to write about our history as accurately as possible to correct many inaccuracies, especially those in the Vietnam War.
DLB: Can you explain the meaning of the title “Fire In The Rain”?
TCĐ: Sure. It’s about the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people against foreign or domestic oppression. “Fire” represents this spirit and “Rain” represents the oppression. While the rain tries to extinguish the fire, the fire keeps growing and growing and never gets quenched. The graphic art on the front cover depicts this metaphor. I added the face of Âu Cơ, the Vietnam mother, who is sharing the present anguish of her children as depicted by her wet hair and expressing her sorrow as depicted by the single tear on her face.
DLB: How many short stories are there?
TCĐ: There are 11 short stories in three parts. Part 1 has one story about the present time in 2013. Part 2 has 9 stories about the historical events from the year 42 to the year 1980. Part 3 has one story about the future time in 2056.
DLB: What’s the present-time story about?
TCĐ: The title of the first story is “Fire In The Rain,” also the title of the book. It’s about Toàn, a former ARVN army officer, who has been living in the United States since 1981 when he escaped from Vietnam as one of the boat people. He has led an uneventful life in the U.S. with his son, his son’s wife, and his two grand-daughters and has buried his past life. A chance encounter in 2013 with Brad Miller, a former U.S. Marine and his former comrade, relives Toàn’s past. During this period, he tells his grand-daughters stories about the history of Vietnam, leading to the stories in Part 2.
DLB: What’s the last story about?
TCĐ: The title of this story is “A Mother’s Dream,” about the dream of the mother of Vietnam. It’s about the future democracy in Vietnam in 2056 after the communist regime collapses.
DLB: Why 2056? That long?
TCĐ (laugh): I have to allow my characters to grow up in the story. The story occurs in 2056, but the democracy is formed before that. Besides, this is fiction. It does not reflect what may happen or my own wish. Furthermore, since many people think that the communist regime will never collapse, I want to depict what our country will be when there is democracy. When we imagine the scenario, we will realize communism will collapse sooner. Everybody knows it will collapse sooner or later, why don’t we destroy it now?
DLB: What’s the story about?
TCĐ: It’s about Toàn’s two grand-daughters, introduced in the first story. The older grand-daughter returns to Vietnam to run for President. At the same time, the younger runs for President in the United States.
DLB: Is it possible? Two sisters running for Presidents in two countries?
TCĐ: Of course it’s possible. In fact, I think it is highly likely. The probability for a Vietnamese-American to be President of the United States is very high. Barack Obama being the first African-American President in the U.S. has opened up opportunities for all persons of all races, men or women. As for Vietnam, once it becomes a democracy, anything is possible.
DLB: Do the two sisters get elected?
TCĐ (smile): You have to buy the book and read it to find out.
DLB: Why did you come up with such a plot?
TCĐ: The history of Vietnam in the book starts with the Trưng sisters. It would be interesting if the book ends with two sisters.
DLB: How did you decide on the historical time frames that the stories in Part 2 are based on?
TCĐ: I decided on the historical time frames based on their significance in our history. The decision for the first four stories was easy because these are stories of historical significance: the Trưng sisters, Ngô Quyền and the Bạch Đằng battle (titled “High Tide”), the Diên Hồng Congress, and Nguyễn Trãi and Bình Ngô Đại Cáo. The decision for the next five stories was a bit difficult. It took me several weeks to decide. In the end, I decided to write about Bùi Thị Xuân (titled “The Elephant’s Tears), the battle of Điện Biên Phủ, the Tết Mậu Thân massacre (titled “Buried Cries”), the collapse of South Vietnam in 1975, and the exodus of the boat people. I believe these stories are significant snapshots of the history of Vietnam in the past two hundred years.
DLB: Why did you leave out other important historical periods and figures like Đinh Bộ Lĩnh, Lý Thường Kiệt, and Nguyễn Huệ?
TCĐ: First, I can’t include all important historical periods and figures in a book of about 500 pages. As for Nguyễn Huệ, there is a good reason. Like I mentioned earlier, before writing “Fire In The Rain,” I had finished a long historical fiction about Princess Ngọc Hân and Nguyễn Huệ titled “The Twig of Peach Blossoms from Thăng Long” and I didn’t want to duplicate the story. I hope to have “Twig” published soon.
DLB: "Lửa Cháy Trong Mưa" reflects your view on the history of Vietnam. How do you express such a historical view in a most independent manner to lead to the most accurate interpretations possible?
TCĐ: It’s a good question. I tried to keep an open mind and did extensive research on the stories. I bought books, borrowed books from libraries all over the U.S., and read on-line materials. When I was confronted with conflicting sources, I had to reason to find the most satisfactory interpretation. The time I spent to do research is approximately equal to the time I spent writing the stories. About one-third of the book is devoted to historical facts presented in the stories. I also include an extensive list of references. Of course, I can never know if any of my interpretations will be accurate, but I did my best.
DLB: Has the book been reviewed by others?
TCĐ: Yes. The book has been reviewed by Kirkus Reviews, a professional American book review magazine, Dr. Larry Engelmann, George (Jay) Veith, Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto, and Người Việt newspaper in Orange County, California. Comments from Kirkus Reviews, Larry Engelmann, Jay Veith, and Uwe Siemon-Netto are in the book. The links for Người Việt’s reviews are as follows.
- Hà Giang. Giới thiệu tiểu thuyết lịch sử 'Lửa Cháy Trong Mưa' của Cao Đắc Tuấn. 16-6-2014.
· Ha Giang. ‘Fire in the Rain’: a must-read for those who want to know Vietnam history. June 27, 2014.
DLB: Who are Larry Engelmann, Jay Veith, and Uwe Siemon-Netto?
TCĐ: Larry is author of six books. One of his books is “Tears Before The Rain,” a book about Vietnam. He was also a history professor at San Jose State University. Jay is a military historian. He is the author of “Black April,” a book on the collapse of South Vietnam in 1975. Uwe is the author of “Triumph of the Absurd, A Reporter’s Love for the Abandoned People of Vietnam,” (former title: “Duc, A Reporter’s Love for the Abandoned People of Vietnam”) a book about his experience in Vietnam when he was a reporter there during the war.
DLB: In what language you originally wrote your stories and why?
TCĐ: I originally wrote the stories in English because I initially wanted the audience to be the Americans and the Vietnamese-Americans who may not read Vietnamese well. After I finished the final version, a friend of mine suggested that I should have a Vietnamese-language version so that Vietnamese readers could read it because the book corrects many inaccuracies about the Vietnam War due to communist propaganda. Therefore, I decided to translate the stories into Vietnamese.
DLB: Can our readers read a sample of your book?
TCĐ: Yes, of course. The Websites of Hellgate Press, the book publisher, and Amazon provide sample chapters of the book. In addition, I had two and one-third stories published on Danlambao a few months ago. Readers can read them at the following links:
- The Absolute Truth:
- No White Flag:
- I Did Not Die (only one-third of the story):
- Không Cờ Trắng:
- Chân Lý Tuyệt Đối:
- Tôi Không Chết Đâu (chỉ một phần ba truyện):
DLB: How do readers in Vietnam buy this book?
TCĐ: I have no idea. I guess the easiest way is to ask a friend or relative to buy the book here and send it to Vietnam.
DLB: You have written several articles to promote democracy and freedom in Vietnam. Does “Fire In The Rain” reflect that spirit?
TCĐ: Yes. I think “Fire In The Rain” is a small contribution to the struggle for democracy and freedom in Vietnam. One objective I hope to achieve with this book is to arouse or stir up patriotism in the young people in Vietnam and overseas. I believe most Vietnamese are patriotic, but a number of people, who may have been indoctrinated for so long, equate the love of their country with the love of the communist party. In addition, many people, especially the young, are so busy with school work or making a living that they let their patriotism lay dormant. To these people, phrases like "Con Rồng Cháu Tiên," "Hai Bà Trưng," "Bạch Đằng Giang," "Hội Nghị Diên Hổng" have become distant and sometimes empty or cliché-like. I hope the stories in "Fire In The Rain" enliven the spirit of the Dragon and Fairy descendants, and stimulate the dormant patriotism in the young people. Once this genuine patriotism grows and alive, the young people will know what to do. It’s like inner force in martial arts or hardware in computer.
DLB: Many readers enjoy the series of articles on the pre-75 music in South Vietnam that you have been writing for DLB. Do you think it’s possible to have a collection with a title like "Fire In The Heart" when the love for those songs, melodies, and lyrics is still smoldering in the hearts of many people?
TCĐ: When I wrote the first two articles, "Hồn Lỡ Sa Vào Đôi Mắt Em" and "Một Mai Giã Từ Vũ Khí," I didn’t think of writing a series of articles about the pre-75 music in South Vietnam. But when readers request me to write about their favorite songs, I realize it is important to keep writing about these songs because they are the hearts and souls of the South Vietnamese people. So, to answer your question, yes, I want to write a collection of articles about these irresistible voices of the South Vietnamese people during the war. Can I borrow your suggested title, "Fire In The Heart"? I think Deepak Chopra, a famous writer, already used this title for his book, but my book is of different genre and should be OK.
DLB: Of course. Feel free to use "Fire In The Heart." When do you think you will have it published?
TCĐ (smile): I will have it released on July 6, 2015.
DLB: That fast?
TCĐ (laugh): It’s because I don’t think I can eat instant noodles for an entire year. (It’s a joke between DLB readers and me.)
DLB: Thank you very much and we wish your book will be successful.
TCĐ: Thank you for having this interview.
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“Fire In The Rain,” written by Tuấn Cao-Đắc and translated by the author into Vietnamese (Lửa Cháy Trong Mưa), is a collection of stories about the history of Vietnam.
FIRE IN THE RAIN
By Tuấn Cao-Đắc
FIRE IN THE RAIN, a collection of eleven short stories, interweaves fascinating Vietnamese folk tales with historical events of Vietnam. In 2013, a chance encounter in Little Saigon between Lt. Toan, a former officer of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, and fellow Vietnam veteran, Cpl. Brad Miller, sparks a sojourn into the past. Beginning with two legendary sisters in the year 42 A.D., the stories continue through key points of Vietnamese struggles against the Han Chinese, Mongols, Ming, French and communism, culminating in visions of a futuristic democracy in Vietnam.
The stories are highlighted by stunning graphic illustrations and supported by meticulously researched historical and factual notes, including maps and references. Readers will find many fascinating facts and theories about the legendary Trưng sisters, the battle at the Bạch Đằng River in 938, the Diên Hồng people’s congress in 1285, Nguyễn Trãi's Great Proclamation upon the Pacification of the Wu and the Lychee Garden incident in 1442, the poignant execution of Bùi Thị Xuân in 1802, the last day of the Điện Biên Phủ battle in 1954, the Huế massacre in 1968, the collapse of South Vietnam in 1975, the Boat People exodus, and the future democracy in Vietnam in 2056. The original text in English is translated into Vietnamese by the author himself.
COMMENTS:
Organized as separate tales within one main plotline, Cao-Dac’s collection includes 11 Vietnamese stories from 42 A.D. to the future... The tales’ greatest strength is their vibrant portrayal of history, geography, and traditional dress and military garb... The writer does a commendable job of weaving in historical facts... Sporadically, Toan comes alive on the page, and readers feel his pain in the trenches... Well-researched, intelligently organized stories... - Kirkus Reviews.
“Fire in the Rain” is a compelling and dramatic exploration of the full panorama of Vietnamese history from ancient times to the present [and beyond] using the methods of historical fiction. The author’s intention is to breathe life and meaning into traditional myths from Vietnam’s past as well as into often misunderstood or misremembered or forgotten episodes from the colonial and the post-colonial struggles of the Vietnamese people. Tuan Cao-Dac demonstrates in these stories an unusual facility for creating dialogue that brings his many characters to life on the pages. And, in a valuable closing essay on the actual sources, people, events and myths upon which he bases his stories he displays his remarkable ability to understand and explain the nonfiction that inspires and informs his historical fiction. There is an urgency and energy to each of these tales as they illuminate a past too often rendered by others with less talent than Tuan as fiction masquerading as truth. In “Fire in the Rain” the author uses fiction as a tool to find truth in the historical events, sometimes tragic, sometimes triumphant but always provocative and memorable. - Larry Engelmann, author of Intemperance, The Goddess and the American Girl, Tears Before the Rain, Daughter of China, They Said That, and Feather in the Storm.
Using fiction to illuminate pivotal events in Vietnam’s vast history, Fire in the Rain showcases the best in the Vietnamese people; brave, determined defenders of their sacred land. Former soldiers will instantly see themselves in these characters. Perfect in tone, Tuan is that rare author who can capture a distant time and place, making the reader feel the heat of battle, and then the bitter aftermath. Yet Fire in the Rain reminds us that Vietnam’s path is not sorrow, but hope. - George J. Veith, author of Code-Name Bright Light, Leave No Man Behind, and Black April.
Reading Fire in the Rain will delight at least three kinds of people: Lovers of classical music will appreciate that this wonderful work is structured like the first movement of a sonata. It begins with what is called in musicology the “exposition” of a theme – in this case the marvelous story of two powerful women who ruled Vietnam in the first century. It continues with the dramatic “development” of fictitious but very realistic tales spanning the subsequent two millennia, and it culminates in the “recapitulation” – or “reprise” – about two powerful women yet to come. Brilliant! Lovers of literature will regale in the author’s art of story telling. And aficionados of history will find in Fire in the Rain an affirmation of their knowledge that history, while closed to the past, always remains open to the future: it will correct itself. Surely, the day will come when beloved Saigon will be Saigon again. We don’t know, when, but eventually Saigon will rid itself of the fraudulent name of a tyrant who had caused the loss of millions of lives - Ho Chi Minh... - Uwe Siemon-Netto, author of Triumph of the Absurd, A Reporter’s Love for the Abandoned People of Vietnam.
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FIRE IN THE RAIN
by Tuấn Cao-Đắc
Hellgate Press Fiction (An imprint of L&R Publishing, LLC)
ISBN: 978-1-55571-746-9
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