Poet Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association, has sought legal assistance to address fabricated verses falsely attributed to his poetry collection "The Slaughterhouse" (Lò mổ).

Nguyen Quang Thieu revealed that several social media accounts have deliberately fabricated lines of poetry and falsely claimed they were part of his work.

"This is not the first time my work has been criticized, mocked, or ridiculed," Thieu stated. "It has happened for decades, and I have never responded because I believe such matters reflect an individual's level of understanding and cultural awareness."

However, he drew a clear distinction between criticism and deliberate distortion, calling it "a vile act of fabrication." He confirmed, "My lawyer is assisting me in taking the necessary steps to work with the authorities."

False claims misrepresent the meaning of "The Slaughterhouse"

An investigation by VietNamNet found that the misrepresented passage falsely attributed to Thieu contains explicit and crude language, allegedly taken from a section of his poem that actually reads:

"Yawning, the night has passed
Cursing, the night has passed
Seducing, the night has passed
Whispering, the night has passed
Words, the night has passed."

These lines, in their original context, are meant to express a sense of existential entrapment and disillusionment, rather than the vulgar or inappropriate connotations that some have falsely ascribed to them.

"The Slaughterhouse" – a poetic indictment of life and survival

With 18 chapters, accompanied by illustrations drawn by the author himself, "The Slaughterhouse" serves as a deeply poetic indictment of life, death, and unseen human struggles. Its central theme revolves around the existential question: "Is the life I am living truly a life?"

Using the metaphor of a slaughterhouse, where cattle line up to meet their fate, Thieu creates a powerful allegory for the harsh and often absurd realities of survival in modern society.

Poet Mai Van Phan hailed "The Slaughterhouse" as "a true masterpiece in Nguyen Quang Thieu’s literary career." He described the work as a creative peak, surpassing Thieu’s previous poetry collections in depth and artistic ambition.

American poet and translator Bruce Weigl, who translated "The Slaughterhouse" into English, called it "a bold poetic statement," praising its powerful imagery and fearless expression. He noted that the work rejects conventional traditions, allowing readers to experience the world in its rawest and most uncompromising form.

Tinh Le