The Novice: A Story of True Love is about a young woman called Kinh Tam who disguises herself as a man to pursue the life of a Buddhist monk. Though, living a man’s life for much of Kinh Tam’s time – she displays courage, endurance, curiosity and empowerment as a feminist.
Before she became a Novice in the monastery, she was highly curious about learning and educating herself. She studied up until college before she was married to her husband. While living with her husband and in-laws, she experiences her first injustice; Kinh Tam was accused of killing her husband by her husband and in-laws when she was trying to trim her husband’s beard. The in-laws demanded an apology from Kinh Tam; she did not apologize as she did not do anything wrong. She was then forced to leave her married life. This shows her self empowerment and not giving into pressures of being a woman in society where the stigma of divorce is still prominent.
Kinh Tam experienced her second injustice in the monastery as a Novice. Thi Mau, the daughter of one of the richest families in the village, accused Kinh Tam of having a sexual affair with Thi Mau and impregnating her. Kinh Tam either could accept the physical punishment for the accusation or reveal her gender which will not let her live as a monk. She accepted the punishment with great courage and silence. Though we think of being silent as weakness, Kinh Tam shows its power.
Lastly, her third injustice (which turns into blessing) was when Thi Mau abandoned her baby at the monastery doorstep where Kinh Tam took in and raised the child as her own. Here, she showed her femininity and yet again endurance. She then blissfully passes several years later where the truth was revealed.
The simplicity of its writing as well as the message of the book makes The Novice: A Story of True Love a charm to read. Thich Nhat Hanh conveys Buddhist teachings and ethics through the story of Kinh Tam. Though, the themes may not blow your mind away, it’s a pleasant read.
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