Monsieur Linh and His Child

Monsieur Linh and His child
Author: Philippe Claudel

Tao-laï

This is a beautiful and extraordinary novel. I had found this novel in purely coincidence when searching for another novel "Undone" from the local public library.

A thin book, only 130 pages and hard cover. Actually, the reason i picked this book and selected it at sight is just merely the cover picture. Yes! books' covers are important! At least to me, not easy to not judge a book by its cover.

It is a story about Monsieur Linh is traumatized by memories of his war-ravaged country and his grandchild, Sang diû has became his sole reason to stay strong and protect her. Monsieur Linh travels with the child with ship and disembark on a foreign land along with other refugees.

He was placed temporarily in a dormitory with two other families. The story goes on with Monsieur Linh takes Sang diû out for a walk in unfamiliar and big town. They meet Monsieur Bark as address to a fat man in the novel.

Monsieur Linh and Monsieur Bark have became friends! Despite that they do not speak each other's language, they seem able to understand each other. One keeps saying and one is willing to hear. It was astonish that both of them are able to communicate with just gesticulation. Monsieur Bark becomes the only friend of Monsieur Linh in this big unfamiliar town. They meet up every day, the bench on good days or the restaurant on rainy days. It is just so amazing that they only know to say 'good day' in fat man's language where both understands. Yet, they seem to understand each other...even without words.

As the dormitory is only temporarily, soon Monsieur Linh and the child are transfer to a mansion but it is like an old folks home. He cannot leave the mansion and unable to meet his only friend. Days by days, he misses his friend and unwilling to be trapped within the fences. He makes attempts to escape from the mansion and search for his friend.

This novel is so beautiful especially the ending. Though it was short but the story is really interesting. Friendship of two who not speak each other's language.

There is a song mentioned in the novel (in Monsieur Linh's language). A song sung by Monsieur Linh to Sang diû.

Always there is the morning

Always the light returns

Always there is another day

One day it is you who will be a mother

A very touching story. Plain and classic.

The date I finished reading this book : October 2013
Rating : 7.5/10