(Released in Vietnamnews 01-10-2009)

HCM CITY — Several "different" and "unusual" books in various genres by young authors have captured the interest and appreciation of young readers nationwide.

Di Li’s horror story, Trai Hoa Do (A Farm of Red Flowers), has its share of mystery and the macabre.

An young woman gets a farm in a mountainous area as a present from her husband. It seems to be an area where many people with odd behaviour reside. Used to living in a big city, the woman is frightened each time she hears big noises or learns about strange happening in the area. She lives in a constant fear day and night, haunted by spirits of the dead, victims of mysterious killings.

"I’ve read many stories dealing with love affairs or activities of young people in schools. Di Li’s book has new ideas," said Nguyen Thu Hoa of HCM City.

"I was captivated by details of the 440-page book right from its beginning," Hoa said.

Di Li, born in 1978 in Ha Noi, is among very few Vietnamese authors to pen horror stories.

Before A Farm of Red Flowers, Di Li wrote Tang Thu Nhat (The First Floor) and Dieu Valse Dia Nguc (Waltzing in Hell) also featuring mysteries.

Nhung Doi Mat Lanh (Cold Eyes) by Phan Hon Nhien, published recently in HCM City, has also caused a stir among teenage readers who find it easier to relate to book’s protagonists.

The story features two teenaged friends, Duy and Ghi. An evil spirit gives Duy special powers to have anything he wants, but only in exchange for the death of a person. Persuaded by Ghi, the young man gives up his cruel powers and fights against dark forces.

Young readers have also welcomed Nuoc My, Nuoc My (USA, USA), a collection of short stories by Phan Viet.

Phan Viet is the pen name of Nguyen Thi Ngoc Huong who graduated from Ha Noi’s Foreign Trade University in 2000 and went on to study sociology at the University of Chicago.

Viet’s book traces the life of a Vietnamese student studying and living in a country where the culture and lifestyles are very different from her own.

Young readers have found her straightforward, engaging style refreshing.

"Writing is my way to express my feelings during the time I was far away from Ha Noi," Viet said.

Phan Viet’s Phu Phiem Truyen (Frivolous Story) won second prize in the 2005 literature competition for writers in their twenties organised by the HCM City Writers Association and Tuoi Tre (Youth) daily.

Local publishers are also making efforts to introduce to young readers interesting books published abroad.

Nha Nam Co recently translated and published Bernard Werber’s Empire of Ants and Frank Herbert’s Dune, which are among international bestsellers in recent years.

A domestic company recently bought the copyright of Dan Brown’s latest book, The Lost Symbol, for translation into Vietnamese.

The Vietnamese version of The Lost Symbol will appear at local bookstores next January.

Those who want to read the 528-page book in English can buy it at several shops in HCM City. Local distributor Fahasa has released 1,000 copies of The Lost Symbol coinciding with its global release. — VNS