Vietnamese author Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai writes about war through the lives of those forever altered by it. In this conversation, she reflects on The Mountains Sing and Dust Child, the women and children caught in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, and the enduring impact of trauma across generations.
Prologue:
From traveling across Vietnam interviewing survivors to conversations with families still searching for loved ones decades after the war, Quế Mai reflects on the delicate balance between history and imagination in her writing.
The Women of Vietnam:
Quế Mai discusses the women who inspired her unforgettable characters, from the strength and sacrifice of Grandma Diệu Lan in The Mountains Sing to mothers in Dust Child forced to survive abandonment, shame, poverty, and impossible choices in the aftermath of war.
Bụi Đời (The Dust of Life):
Quế Mai speaks about the Amerasian children born during the war, the discrimination they faced, and the real-life reunions and heartbreak that inspired Dust Child.
Writing Without Fear:
From growing up in poverty and selling goods on the street to becoming an internationally acclaimed writer, Quế Mai reflects on vulnerability, censorship, courage, and why meaningful storytelling requires confronting both history and your own deepest fears.
Featured Clips in this episode:
50 years ago: CBS News report from Vietnam sparked U.S. outrage
Hanoi Hannah Radio Broadcast
“Life is cheap in the Orient” - Hearts and Minds Documentary
Credits:
Host: Mallika Kapur
Mallika Kapur is an award-winning journalist and seasoned interviewer with over two decades of experience in television and live journalism. Across three countries and various impactful roles at CNN and Bloomberg, she has reported on major global events, including the London train bombings, the Indian Ocean tsunami and the Mumbai terror attacks. She also moderates news making panels at global forums, leading insightful conversations with the world’s top figures in business and culture.
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This is a Maed In India Production
Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas
Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome
Sound Designer & Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni
Producer: Rachna Sukuru
Assistant Producer: Karan Solanki
Sound Engineer: Nihar Temkar
Artwork: Alika Gupta
