What do those who struggle against power do when they seize power? What does the revolutionary do when the revolution triumphs? Why do those who call for independence and freedom take away the independence and freedom of others? And is it sane or insane to believe, as so many around us apparently do, in nothing? […]

There’s a tradition in Vietnamese culture,’ he said. ‘They believe that you need to give your dead a proper burial in their hometown. If not, their souls are cursed to wander the earth aimlessly, as ghosts.’ He looked down at the bottom of his empty glass, his smile slowly fading from his face, a frown […]

Tâmin muistikuvissa yksi ainoa sotilas muistutti ihmistä. Sotilaalla oli pyöreät posket ja pehmeä iho. Amerikkalainen lentäjä nosti hänet selkä edellä ilmaan, taivasta kohti. Näkymätön käsi tempaisi hänet pyörryttävän nopeasti pois verisestä massasta, maanmiehistä, menneisyydestä. Lennon aikana Tâm tajusi paitsi olevansa elossa myös sen, että pääsisi koskettamaan taivasta. Kiitos siitä kuului sotilaalle, jolla oli yhtä ruusunpunaiset […]

With hope being my guiding light, I journeyed on. Sometimes when I allowed myself a good sleep, I’d go into a village and ask people to let us stay the night. I paid for it. There were plenty of thieves around, but many country people opened their doors to us. We slept on dirt floors, […]