John Wood
asked
C.L. Hoang:
Mr. Hoang, I would like your perspective on this. Humor books, TV shows, and movies about war are often a tough sell, but Vietnam humor books are another thing entirely. I wrote one many years ago that my agent loved but publishers wouldn't touch. I've now published it as an ebook. Will Vietnam humor ever be appropriate?
C.L. Hoang
Hi, John
Thank you for your service in my former home country.
In my humble opinion, humor is always a little tricky. On one hand, it's definitely one of a few natural mechanisms of coping with stress and hardship. There's nothing better to dispel a somber mood than a hearty laugh or even a chuckle. On the other hand it is hard, at least for me, to achieve just the right mix of levity and seriousness when it comes to dealing with such a ponderous matter as war. When done with skills, however, I believe humor can serve to highlight the preposterous aspects of life in any situation. The TV series MASH is an example that comes to mind. Also I hope to make time to read Catch-22 some day soon.
Thank you, John, for raising a very interesting point. I wish you the best with your writing. Please keep me posted on how well your ebook is doing.
Hi, John
Thank you for your service in my former home country.
In my humble opinion, humor is always a little tricky. On one hand, it's definitely one of a few natural mechanisms of coping with stress and hardship. There's nothing better to dispel a somber mood than a hearty laugh or even a chuckle. On the other hand it is hard, at least for me, to achieve just the right mix of levity and seriousness when it comes to dealing with such a ponderous matter as war. When done with skills, however, I believe humor can serve to highlight the preposterous aspects of life in any situation. The TV series MASH is an example that comes to mind. Also I hope to make time to read Catch-22 some day soon.
Thank you, John, for raising a very interesting point. I wish you the best with your writing. Please keep me posted on how well your ebook is doing.
More Answered Questions
Phillip
asked
C.L. Hoang:
Hey, just saw (and bought) the book. I've worked with a number of Vietnamese guys on books and event. Hoi Tran and I worked together on his memoir. I hope you might read my Politically Incorrect Guide to the Vietnam War. (not a sales pitch, i make no money off Amazon sales at this point). It gives a clear view of the war? I was there three years and studied the region most of my adult life. cheers Phillip Jennings
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