Poet JOHN BALABAN has translated the poetry of an 18th century Vietnamese concubine in the new... Poet JOHN BALABAN has translated the poetry of an 18th century Vietnamese concubine in the new book, –Spring Essence: The Poetry of Ho Xuang Huong— (Copper Canyon Press) Ho Xuang Huong won acclaim for her poetry despite the fact that she was a woman and she challenged established conventions. Most of her poems also were double entendres: a hidden sexual meaning lay behind her words. BALABAN was a conscientious objector during the Vietnam war, and went back to the country after the war to collect and preserve Vietnamese folk poetry. BALABAN is also the author of a memoir, and of several books of his own poetry.

Poet JOHN BALABAN has translated the poetry of an 18th century Vietnamese concubine in the new...

January 4, 200112:00 AM ET

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Poet JOHN BALABAN has translated the poetry of an 18th century Vietnamese concubine in the new...

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Poet JOHN BALABAN has translated the poetry of an 18th century Vietnamese concubine in the new book, –Spring Essence: The Poetry of Ho Xuang Huong— (Copper Canyon Press) Ho Xuang Huong won acclaim for her poetry despite the fact that she was a woman and she challenged established conventions. Most of her poems also were double entendres: a hidden sexual meaning lay behind her words. BALABAN was a conscientious objector during the Vietnam war, and went back to the country after the war to collect and preserve Vietnamese folk poetry. BALABAN is also the author of a memoir, and of several books of his own poetry.