Bookclub – Diary of a Cricket by Tô Hoài

In 1941, ‘Diary of a Cricket’ was published for the first time and immediately aroused a strong interest in young readers. Tô Hoài’s cricket, who began hopping on the grass along Hanoi’s To Lich River, eventually crossed national borders to touch the hearts of children in over 40 countries around the world.  The book is regarded as a classic children’s novel through many decades. It describes the adventures of a cricket who leaves his nest and travels to different places. He grows up and learns by overcoming difficult situations with the help of many different people and animals. Despite numerous difficulties on the road, the cricket with his friends is determined to fight against injustice in life. The whole literature work is an innovative invention of the author through a process of meticulous observation and careful study of cricket life. Tô Hoài has used the stories of animals to debate raison d’etre of human beings and convey a message for young people – to walk new paths, try new works, and build a happy life, rather than staying in a sullen society.  The story has been translated into Russian, English, French, Japanese, Swedish, Korean, and Khmer, and is popular in 40 countries ( from the Vietnam Times).

Tô Hoài (1920-2014) was a great, old tree” of the Vietnamese literary circle and children literature. His real name was Nguyen Sen while his pen name “To Hoai” originated from the first names of two famous places in Hanoi – the To Lich River and Hoai Duc District. This year Vietnam celebrates the centennial of his birth.

Please contact Maria for details and more information on our bookclub

Meeting venue:  TINY CAFE,  11 Nguyễn Tri Phương Street, Điện Biên, Ba Đình https://goo.gl/maps/XngLKq7xokBJGrRy8

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