Dumb Luck : A Novel by Vu Trong Phung

Acknowledgments vii Introduction: Vu Trong Phung's Dumb Luck and the Nature of Vietnamese Modernism 1(30) Dumb Luck 31(1) Vu Trong Phung Note on Translation 32(1) Red-Haired Xuan's Luck in Love 33(9) Mr. and Mrs. Civilization The Compassion of Mrs. Deputy Customs Officer Unlucky Stars: Quan Phu and Thai Tue 42(7) Alas for Our People! Civilization Ruined! Police and Police Fines Son of Heaven, Son of Buddha 49(8) The Reincarnation of the Famous Soothsayer Quy Coc Tu A Suspicious Case The Anger of Hoan Thu 57(8) Art for Life's Sake The Products of Europeanization A Lesson in Progress for Red-Haired Xuan 65(8) Two Views about Family and Society A Horned Husband Tennis Court Problems Again 73(7) Life in a Civilized Family Red-Haired Xuan Leaps into Science A Living Person's Will 80(8) A Scientific Debate Love---What Else Are You Waiting For? Victory for the Common People in the Europeanization Shop 88(8) A Financial Plot A Love Plot A Real-Life Fairyland 96(8) The Philosophy of an Adulteress An Example of ``Semi-Virginity'' Red-Haired Xuan the Poet 104(8) A Fight Over Horns The Conservatism of Mrs. Deputy Customs Officer Opening Day at the Tennis Court 112(7) Red-Haired Xuan: Master Orator Preparations for a Marriage The Peculiar Language of the Old and the New 119(7) A Princess Pricked by a Thorn The Irony of Fate A Physiological Investigation 126(8) The Language of an Authentic Monk Red-Haired Xuan Reforms Buddhism The Way of the World 134(8) A Faithful Female Friend Damn, Doctor Xuan Gets Angry The Happiness of a Family in Mourning 142(8) The Contribution of Civilization An Exemplary Funeral A Glorious and Happy Misunderstanding! 150(7) Red-Haired Xuan Conquers the Police The Fiance 157(7) A Rape Case An Official Investigation A Plot 164(7) Red-Haired Xuan Spies on the Police A Doctor's Promise Imperial Journeys to the North and to the East 171(9) The Crime of Cheering ``Long Live the King!'' An Antidote for Loose Morals Red-Haired Xuan Saves the Country 180 Red-Haired Xuan: A Great Man Pity the Father-of-the-Bride Who is not Smacked in the Face