The Sorrow of War

About “The Sorrow of War”

The Sorrow of War is a 1990 novel by Bao Ninh. It follows Kien, an infantry cadre from Hanoi, who is tasked with retrieving and burying the dead after a major battle. The story moves between Kien's past and present, exploring his youth, his experiences during the war, and his struggles as a writer in postwar Hanoi. Through his journey, the novel examines themes of death, love, loss, and the psychological toll of war. Kien seeks to understand the violence he has seen and the meaning of his survival. The novel is described as bleak, poetic, and insightful.