Reception of Patrick Modiano’s writings in Vietnam: challenges and potential approaches to literary criticism

Abstract

While the history of criticism and reception of Patrick Modiano’s works is quite substantial on a global scale, he remains a somewhat “familiar yet unfamiliar” figure to domestic readers and academics in Vietnam. Indeed, as early as the 1980s and 1990s, Modiano’ writings were introduced in Vietnam through the translations and French and Western literature textbooks. However, it is only in the past five years that his name has gained more prominence on Vietnamese bookshelves and in undergraduate and postgraduate academic research. This article aims to not only provide an overview of Modiano’s reception in Vietnam but also to identify the challenges involved in studying his works. Furthermore, by drawing comparisons with the research and reception of Modiano’s literature around the world, I propose potential approaches to gain a deeper understanding of the writings of this exemplary figure in 20th-century French literature and world literature in general.