"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.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Author Viet Thanh Nguyen discusses how his novel 'The Sympathizer' confronts Hollywood's portrayal of the Vietnam War by offering a unique Vietnamese perspective. The podcast explores the struggle for Vietnamese Americans to assert their place in narratives dominated by American viewpoints and the cultural impact of challenging mainstream Hollywood narratives.

Viet Thanh Nguyen, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and refugee from Vietnam, shares his powerful insights alongside Andre Dao, an award-winning writer. They discuss the emotional weight of memory and trauma within Vietnamese families. Topics include the challenges of recounting personal and familial histories, and how language shapes identity amidst displacement. They also explore the delicate balance between artistic expression and political activism while tracing Nguyen's journey through love, loss, and the enduring impact of war.

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.

Viet Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer Prize winner, talks about 'The Sympathizer', a novel set in Vietnam and LA post-war, challenging Hollywood's portrayals. He reflects on his family's escape from South Vietnam, and his revenge on Coppola. Also, a review of 'Let It Be'.

Viet Thanh Nguyen, Author of A Man of Two Faces: A Memoir, A History, A Memorial, discusses his personal memoir which expands into larger stories of refugeehood, colonization, and ideas about Vietnam and America. He reflects on his experiences as a refugee, the violence hidden behind the sunny façade of America, and the existential crisis of being both American and Vietnamese. Nguyen also explores the necessity of both forgetting and memory and delves into the political aspects of his book and the mistreatment of Vietnamese refugees in the United States.

"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 world watches the war in Ukraine — and with the U.S. departure from Afghanistan still fresh — we speak with Nguyen about national memory, selective forgetting, and the refugee stories that might ultimately help us move forward.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung and author Viet Thanh Nguyen discuss career trajectories, making art for oneself, Hollywood stereotypes and the impact of the Vietnam War. They also touch on the artistry of Minari and the importance of every immigrant story being considered an epic.

Pulitzer Prize winner Viet Thanh Nguyen discusses writing journey, midwest sandwiches, diaspora stories. Conversations include pee habits, workshop feedback, duality in characters, book reviews. Delve into Vietnamese social dynamics, roasting culture, language struggles, family expectations. Nostalgia, patriotism among Vietnamese Americans, community criticism, and more.