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The sequel to The Sympathizer, which won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction and went on to sell over a million copies worldwide, The Committed tells the story of “the man of two minds” as he comes as a refugee to France and turns his hand to capitalism

The long-awaited follow-up to the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Sympathizer, which has sold more than one million copies worldwide, The Committed follows the man of two minds as he arrives in Paris in the early 1980s with his blood brother Bon. The pair try to overcome their pasts and ensure their futures by engaging in capitalism in one of its purest forms: drug dealing.

Traumatized by his reeducation at the hands of his former best friend, Man, and struggling to assimilate into French culture, the Sympathizer finds Paris both seductive and disturbing. As he falls in with a group of left-wing intellectuals whom he meets at dinner parties given by his French Vietnamese “aunt,” he finds stimulation for his mind but also customers for his narcotic merchandise. But the new life he is making has perils he has not foreseen, whether the self-torture of addiction, the authoritarianism of a state locked in a colonial mindset, or the seeming paradox of how to reunite his two closest friends whose worldviews put them in absolute opposition. The Sympathizer will need all his wits, resourcefulness, and moral flexibility if he is to prevail.

Both highly suspenseful and existential, The Committed is a blistering portrayal of commitment and betrayal that will cement Viet Thanh Nguyen’s position in the firmament of American letters.

**The Committed by Viet Thanh Nguyen: A Journey Through Loss, Identity, and Family in Postwar Saigon**

In his captivating novel, "The Committed," Viet Thanh Nguyen transports readers to postwar Saigon, a city grappling with the aftermath of the Vietnam War. The story revolves around two families, the Trần and the Phạm, who find their lives intertwined in unexpected ways.

At the heart of the narrative is the Trần family, struggling to navigate the complexities of life in a rapidly changing Vietnam. The patriarch, Mr. Trần, is a former political prisoner haunted by the ghosts of his past. His wife, Mrs. Trần, is a strong and resilient woman determined to keep her family together amid adversity.

The Phạm family, on the other hand, is caught up in the turmoil of the war. Mr. Phạm, a former soldier, battles inner demons and the lingering trauma of the conflict. His wife, Mrs. Phạm, faces the challenges of raising their children in a society still reeling from the devastation of war.

When the two families' paths cross, their lives take unexpected turns. They become embroiled in a web of allegiances, betrayals, and sacrifices as they navigate the treacherous waters of postwar Vietnam.

"The Committed" is a powerful exploration of the human cost of war. Through its unforgettable characters and gripping storytelling, the novel sheds light on the lingering wounds of conflict, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring bonds of family.

In addition to its exploration of war's aftermath, "The Committed" also delves into themes of identity, loss, and the pursuit of happiness. As the characters navigate a rapidly changing society, they are forced to confront their own identities and grapple with the choices they have made.

Nguyen's writing in "The Committed" is both lyrical and evocative. His prose captures the beauty and complexity of postwar Saigon, bringing to life the sights, sounds, and smells of a city in transition. He skillfully weaves together the narratives of the Trần and Phạm families, creating a rich and multifaceted tapestry of human experience.

Overall, "The Committed" is a thought-provoking and immersive novel that explores the lasting impact of war, the complexities of family relationships, and the unwavering hope for a better future.