''Phka Srapoun'' (, ; ) is a Khmer novel written by

Nou Hach Nou Hach (, ; 26 June 1916 1975) was a Cambodian author, perhaps best known for his novel, ''Phka Sropoun''. He was born in Battambang, and died during the Khmer Rouge Democratic Kampuchea, regime. Early life and education Hach was born to ...

and published in 1949. Along with ''

Kolab Pailin ''Kolab Pailin'' ( ; ) is a Cambodian novel that was written by Nhok Them in 1936 or 1943. Along with ''Sophat'' and '' Phka Srapoun'', ''Kolab Pailin'' is considered one of the three classic novels of modern Khmer literature. The story does no ...

'' and ''

Sophat ''Sophat'' ( ) was the first Cambodian romance novel written in 1938 by Rim Kin and was published in 1942. Along with '' Kolab Pailin'' and '' Phka Srapoun'', ''Sophat'' is widely regarded as the “first” Cambodian novel and is considered one ...

'', ''Phka Srapoun'' is considered one of the three classic novels of modern

Khmer literature Cambodian literature (, ), also Khmer literature, has a very ancient origin. Like most Southeast Asian national literatures its traditional corpus has two distinct aspects or levels: *The written literature, mostly restricted to the royal cour ...

. The novel is set during the French colonial period of Cambodia. The story portrays the Cambodian tradition of

arranged marriage Arranged marriage is a type of Marriage, marital union where the bride and groom are primarily selected by individuals other than the couple themselves, particularly by family members such as the parents. In some cultures, a professional matchmaki ...

Author

Nou Hach (Khmer: នូ ហាច) was born on June 26, 1916, in Kampong Preah Commune, Sangkae District,

Battambang Battambang (, Romanization of Khmer#UNGEGN, UNGEGN: ) is the capital of Battambang province and the List of cities and towns in Cambodia, third largest city in Cambodia. The city is situated on the Sangkae River, which winds its way through t ...

Cambodia Cambodia, officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. It is bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the north, and Vietnam to the east, and has a coastline ...

. His father's name was Khuon Nov (Khmer: ឃួន នៅ), and his mother name was Or Muoch (Khmer: ឳរ មួច). They were farmers. Hach was the eldest child of the family, he married Mrs. Tan Rem (Khmer: តាន់ រ៉េម) 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 (ប៊ុនធឿន) and Vitheavy (វិធាវី) have been arranged to marry since they were young. Unfortunately, Bunthoeun's family becomes poor after a storm sinks the boat his father uses to transport the rice in Prey Nokor. Mrs. Nuon (យាយនួន), 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 (ណៃស៊ត), 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 Siem Reap (, ) is the second-largest city of Cambodia, as well as the capital and largest city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia. Siem Reap possesses French-colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the Old French Quarter ...

, 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 and 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 (តាសូ) to find firewood and fish to reduce stress. When he returns home, Vitheavy dies which causes him much grief.

References

{{Reflist 1949 novels Cambodian literature