Viet Thanh Nguyen

Viet Thanh Nguyen, a Vietnamese refugee and professor at USC, discusses the complexities of identity as an Asian-American. He reflects on his family's immigration story and the impact of trauma on marginalized communities. Nguyen emphasizes the importance of finding solidarity among diverse experiences of 'otherness' in today's America. He also critiques the romanticized notions of authenticity and confronts uncomfortable truths about American identity, motivating listeners to embrace empathy and resilience in the face of societal challenges.

Viet Thanh Nguyen, a South Vietnamese-born American author known for his work "To Save and to Destroy: Writing as an Other," joins the discussion to explore the concept of being the 'other.' He draws connections between ICE raids, protests, and the war on Gaza to highlight the shared experiences of marginalized communities. Nguyen reflects on the fragility of citizenship and the complexities of solidarity, urging listeners to embrace shared grief and advocate for collective action against injustice.

Join Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen, known for his acclaimed novel The Sympathizer, and historian Mai Elliott, author of The Sacred Willow, as they reflect on the enduring impact of the Vietnam War 50 years later. They discuss their personal experiences as children in postwar communities and the emotional struggles faced by Vietnamese refugees. The conversation shifts to Vietnam’s remarkable economic growth and its precarious balancing act between China and the U.S., revealing a nuanced path shaped by history, resilience, and diplomacy.

"All wars are fought twice, the first time on the battlefield, the second time in memory," writes Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen. This week on Throughline, we want to pause the news cycle to think about not just how war is experienced or consumed, but how it's remembered. A refugee from the Vietnam War, Nguyen calls himself a scholar of memory — someone who studies how we remember events of the past, both as people and as nations. As the war in Ukraine continues and conflicts around the globe displace millions, we speak with Nguyen about national memory, selective forgetting, and the refugee stories that might ultimately help us move forward.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Viet Thanh Nguyen, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, discusses his novel 'The Sympathizer' and its adaptation into an HBO series. He emphasizes the importance of incorporating Vietnamese perspectives into the narrative of the Vietnam War, often overlooked in Hollywood. Nguyen examines the moral complexities of iconic films like 'Apocalypse Now' and how they present a predominantly American viewpoint. Through satire and cultural commentary, he challenges these narratives and sheds light on the identity struggles faced by Vietnamese characters in film.

Jacqueline Stewart, film scholar and museum leader who centers cultural memory; Viet Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer-winning novelist exploring war and migration; Ava DuVernay, filmmaker amplifying Black stories and independent distribution. They discuss museums under political attack, reclaiming blacklisted artists, the power and threat of storytelling, and independent paths for filmmakers. Performances dramatize McCarthyism’s erasures.

Viet Thanh Nguyen, novelist and scholar of war, memory, and diasporic narratives; Ava DuVernay, filmmaker whose work probes race and justice. They trace McCarthy-era erasures of Black and immigrant artists. They debate modern censorship, storytelling pressures around Palestine, and how media power shapes which stories get told.

Viet Thanh Nguyen, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and USC professor, shares his journey as a refugee from Vietnam and the ongoing impact of the Vietnam War. He reflects on the trauma experienced by individuals and communities, emphasizing the resilience of the Vietnamese diaspora. Nguyen discusses lessons from the past, the cyclical nature of history, and the artistic legacy shaped by these experiences. His latest essay collection explores the role of artists in political discourse, shedding light on identity and cultural heritage.

Viet Thanh Nguyen, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, explores the complex interplay of history and memory shaped by his immigrant experience. He discusses the contrasting narratives of the Vietnam War and the essential role of 'defiant storytellers' in reclaiming history. Nguyen shares insights on adapting his novel into a TV series, the challenge of maintaining authenticity in journalism, and the enduring influence of literature in a social media-dominated world. His thoughts illuminate the importance of diverse narratives for marginalized communities.

Viet Thanh Nguyen, the author of 'The Sympathizer' novel, discusses the process of adapting his book into a popular HBO TV series. They cover themes of espionage, immigrant stories, identity, and the challenges of transforming literary language into screen dialogue. The podcast also explores the complexities of blending violence and humor, meta commentary on Hollywood's portrayal of the Vietnam War, and the significance of diverse casting in the production.