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Phka Srapoun
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Wikipedia article
'Phka Srapoun' (, ; ) is a Khmer novel written by Nou Hach and published in 1949. Along with 'Kolab Pailin' and 'Sophat', 'Phka Srapoun' is considered one of the three classic novels of modern Khmer literature. The novel is set during the French colonial period of Cambodia. The story portrays the Cambodian tradition of arranged marriages.
Author
'Nou Hach' (Khmer: ) was born on June 26, 1916 in Kampong Preah Commune, Sangkae District, Battambang, Cambodia. His father's name was Khuon Nov (Khmer: ), and his mother name was Or Muoch (Khmer: ). They were farmers. Hach was the eldest child of the family. He married Mrs. Tan Rem (Khmer: ) and had eight children.
His famous works include:
* 'Phka Srapoun'
* 'Mealea Duong Chett'
* 'Truoy Chivit'
* 'Neari Chea Ti Sneha'
* 'Tho Bek', a French poem
Plot Summary
Bun Thoeun () and Vitheavy () have been arranged to marry since they were young. Unfortunately, Bunthoeun's family becomes poor after a storm sinks the boat that his father uses to transport the rice in Prey Nokor.
Mrs. Nuon (), mother of Vitheavy, is a person who prefers money over honor and honesty. She drops the engagement between Bunthoeun and her daughter, and engages Vitheavy instead to Naisot (), who is a rich man. Naisot is bad-tempered and immoral. He uses his money to do anything he wants.
After becoming engaged to Naisot, Vitheavy falls ill, and pines for Bunthoeun. However, she dares not argue with her mother over the engagement. Her health worsens. Seeing this, Mrs. Nuon brings her daughter to the resort town of Siem Reap, but Vitheavy's spirits remain low.
Vitheavy coughs up blood. Her mother, being superstitious, brings her to the fortune teller and uses various methods to try to cure her. However, it does not work. Her illness remains serious.
After Bunthoeun discovers Vitheavy will marry someone else, he becomes sad and cries alone. He goes into the forest for days with Mr. So (), to find firewood and fish to reduce stress. When he returns home, Vitheavy dies. This causes him much grief.
References
Category:1949 novels
Category:Cambodian literature
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