The Captain spy (Hoa Xuande) and CIA operative Claude (Robert Downey Jr.) in *THE SYMPATHIZER* inspired by the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen Photo source: HBO

“…sometimes you do have to operate within the machinery of power in order to try to subvert it. And that’s the attempt in the making of this (The Sympathizer) into a TV series."
Viet Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sympathizer

Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters kicks off its 4th season with Viet Thanh Nguyen whose Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, THE SYMPATHIZER, was adapted into a miniseries and premiered on HBO in April 2024.

THE SYMPATHIZER is described as an espionage thriller and cross-cultural satire about the struggles of its narrator, a half-French half-Vietnamese communist spy or double agent, known only as “the Captain” during the final days of the American war in Vietnam.

In Episode 58 we explore:

Adapting THE SYMPATHIZER for HBO and collaborating with Park Chan-wook
Representation and Pop Culture in THE SYMPATHIZER
Multiple Identity and Historical Understanding

…and more.

The conversation with Viet Thanh Nguyen and The Boston Sisters was recorded in person at the 2024 National Book Festival in DC presented by the Library of Congress.

Download Episode 58

Guest: Viet Thanh Nguyen

Viet Thanh Nguyen (Nguyễn Thanh Việt) was born in Vietnam and came to the United States as a refugee with his family in 1975. His debut novel ***The Sympathizer*** became a *New York Times* best seller and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2016. Other honors for the novel include the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction from the American Library Association, the Asian/Pacific American Literature Award from the Asian/Pacific American Librarian Association, and won le Prix du meilleur livre (Best Foreign Book in France).
Nguyen’s recent memoir, ***A Man of Two Faces: A Memoir, A History, A Memorial***, was longlisted for the National Book Award.

Nguyen’s work also includes The Committed, the follow up novel to The Sympathizer, a best-selling short story collection The Refugees, Chicken of the Sea, a children’s book, co-authored with his then six-year-old son, Ellison, the nonfiction book Nothing Ever Dies, a finalist for the National Book Award, and he’s the editor of The Displaced, an anthology of refugee writing.

A recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim and MacArthur foundations, Viet Thanh Nguyen is the Aerol Arnold Professor of English, American studies, and Ethnicity and Comparative Literature at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

Connect with Viet Thanh Nguyen: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Channel

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Books by Viet Thanh Nguyen

A Man of Two Faces: A Memoir, A History, A Memorial

Nothing Ever Dies: Vietnam and the Memory of War

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THE SYMPATHIZER

THE SYMPATHIZER HBO series trailer

THE SYMPATHIZER is described as an espionage thriller and cross-cultural satire about the struggles of its narrator, a half-French half-Vietnamese communist spy or double agent, known only as “the Captain” during the final days of the American war in Vietnam. A “man of two minds,” the Captain arranges to come to America after the Fall of Saigon. While building a new life with other Vietnamese refugees in Los Angeles he is secretly reporting back to his communist superiors in Vietnam. The Sympathizer is a blistering exploration of identity and America, and a powerful story of loyalty, love and friendship.

Directed by Park Chan-wook (THE HANDMAIDEN, STOKER), THE SYMPATHIZER features a Vietnamese cast including Hoa Xuande (the Captain), Fred Nguyen Khan (Bon), Toan Le (The General), Phanxinê (the Crapulent Major), Vy Le (Lana, the General’s daughter), Ky Duyen (the General’s wife Madame), Kieu Chinh (the Crapulent Major’s mother), Duy Nguyen (Man), and Alan Trong (Sonny). Also featured are Sandra Oh (Sofia Mori), and Robert Downey Jr. in 4 Emmy-nominated symbolic character roles.