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Quote by Viet Thanh Nguyen

“We cannot know whether our pain is like anybody else's pain until we talk about it. Once we do that, we speak and think in ways cultural and individual. In this country, for example, someone fleeing for his life will think he should call for the police. This is a reasonable way to cope with the threat of pain. But in my country, no one calls for the police, since it is often the police who inflict the pain.”

Quote by Viet Thanh Nguyen

Work

The Sympathizer

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Author

Viet Thanh Nguyen

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“That it’s possible. You just have to fight. It will not be easy. But you can manage. Because life is giving you as much pain as you are capable [of living] with. And on the end of that path, the goal will be reachable. You will have suffered to do [it], but it doesn’t matter.”

“I acted like a friend, just so I can be near you. I let you talk about her. I listened with both ears, picked up every detail. Gave you helpful little tips to get the golden girl. I said everything with a smile, with every passing minute of pain and pleasure. Days and nights. You never needed to know. Or maybe you did but enjoyed the best of both worlds. You get to explore new mountains and come home to a safe bed. I sang the songs of all the unrequited love of a friend. I let it hurt me. I let it consume me. Pain it seems is comforting.”