Artificial Intelligence

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AI, Artificial Intelligence, daily-prompt, postaday, postaweek, village teacher, writing

By now, most of you have heard of Artificial Intelligence, or AI, and some of you may have been using it. You could even be working for one of the companies here in the United States, or in other countries, which are developing AI software and its various applications.

One of rumors circulating about AI is that some people, especially students, have used it to generate term papers or even entire dissertation required for graduation. Some of the more salacious rumors may be apocryphal, or they may be not.

Yesterday, I decided to use AI to generate a review my book, Village Teacher, published in 2012. I used three AI tools, all available for free to almost anyone with a personal computer able to connect to the Internet: ChatGPT by a company called OpenAI, Copilot by Microsoft, and Gemini by Google. I just asked each AI tool to review Village Teacher, without saying that I am the book’s author.

Once I typed in my request for the review, each AI engine processed for about a minute or less before displaying its review. I did not encounter any problem and the wait was nothing compared to what I had to go through in the past at the office. Here are the results.

I. OpenAI ChatGPT‘s Review

About the Author & Origins

Nguyễn Trọng Hiền—who publishes under the name neihtn—self-published Village Teacher in May 2012 after nearly four years of writing nights and weekends neihtn+1.
He is based in the U.S. but infuses the book with deep knowledge of Vietnam’s history and culture, aiming to introduce younger Vietnamese, especially those abroad, to their heritage Elizabeth Gauffreau neihtn.

Setting & Plot

The novel unfolds at the tail end of the 19th century, during early French colonization. It follows Tâm, a humble village schoolteacher, journeying to the imperial city of Huế to take a crucial exam that could elevate him to a mandarin or send him back home Goodreads+1.
In Huế, Tâm rescues Giang, a young woman of mixed Vietnamese-French heritage. Their burgeoning bond faces societal resistance, political machinations, and threats that test their resolve Goodreads+1.

Praise from Readers

Goodreads and blog reviewers celebrate the book for its vibrant storytelling and rich historical tapestry:

Nicua praises its “colourful descriptions,” smooth narrative, and accurate portrayal of colonial-era society Goodreads.
Elizabeth Gauffreau highlights Tam’s humility, the nuanced love story, and how the novel balances political intrigue with emotional depth Goodreads.
Goodreads reviews by T.W. Dittmer and Bonnie DeMoss echo this sentiment—enjoying the compelling drama, well-drawn characters, and historical authenticity Goodreads.
Blogs like Bonnie Reads and Writes and Liz Gauffreau’s site applaud the narrative for weaving culture, romance, and history seamlessly, especially from an indie writer’s standpoint Elizabeth Gauffreau Bonnie Reads and Writes.

Constructive Criticism

One blogger, Aud, notes that the story’s characters sometimes feel one-dimensional—“too patently white or black”—and could benefit from more moral complexity. The translation of poetic Vietnamese lines into English also didn’t satisfy this reader, especially those deeply familiar with the original poetry neihtn.

Final Thoughts

Strengths:

Exceptional historical detail and cultural insight.
A heartfelt love story that reflects larger societal struggles.
Clear, engaging prose that brings colonial Vietnam to life.

Considerations:

Occasional reliance on archetypes rather than morally gray characters.
Some poetic translations may not fully capture the nuance of the original language.

Recommendation If you’re drawn to immersive historical fiction enriched by cultural depth and gentle romance, Village Teacher is a rewarding read. While it may benefit from deeper characterization, its strengths in world-building, historical context, and emotional resonance make it memorable—especially for those curious about Vietnam’s colonial era.

II. Microsoft Copilot’s Review

📖 Book Review: Village Teacher by Nguyễn Trọng Hiền

Set in late 19th-century Vietnam during the early years of French colonization, Village Teacher is a sweeping historical novel that blends romance, political intrigue, and cultural reflection into a richly textured narrative.

🧠 Plot & Themes

At the heart of the story is Tâm, a humble village schoolteacher who travels to the imperial city of Huế to take the prestigious palace examinations. There, he meets Giang, a young woman of Vietnamese-French descent. Their budding romance is tested by societal prejudice, family opposition, and the turbulent political landscape of colonial Vietnam2.

The novel explores:

The clash between tradition and modernity
The complexities of identity under colonial rule
The power of love and resilience in the face of adversity

✍️ Writing Style & Historical Depth

Nguyễn Trọng Hiền’s prose is thoughtful and immersive, with vivid descriptions that bring the setting to life. His research into Vietnamese society and history is evident, offering readers a nuanced view of a country grappling with foreign domination and internal transformation.

The omniscient narration provides clarity without sacrificing emotional depth, and the pacing—despite the book’s 400+ pages—is surprisingly brisk. Readers have praised the novel’s ability to balance historical exposition with compelling character development.

❤️ Reader Impressions

Many reviewers found themselves deeply invested in the characters, especially Tâm, whose integrity and quiet strength anchor the story. The love story between Tâm and Giang is portrayed with subtlety and emotional resonance, making the stakes feel personal and profound.

III. Google Gemini Review

Book Review: Village Teacher by Nguyen Trong Hien

Village Teacher is a historical novel by Nguyen Trong Hien (who also writes under the name “Neihtn,” his first name and initials spelled backward). The book is set in Vietnam during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a tumultuous period of French colonization.

The story centers on Lê Duy Tâm, a brilliant and virtuous young scholar who travels to the imperial city of Huế to take the national examinations. These examinations are the gateway to a prestigious position within the mandarin class, the scholarly ruling elite of Vietnam. Tâm’s final essay, which advocates for reforms to modernize the educational system, sets the stage for a story that intertwines personal ambition with the political and cultural upheaval of the era.

The plot kicks off with a classic meet-cute: while walking through the city, Tâm rescues a young woman on horseback who is being accosted by ruffians. This woman, Giang, is the daughter of a powerful Frenchman and a wealthy Vietnamese woman, and their meeting sparks a love story that becomes the heart of the novel.

Village Teacher is more than just a historical romance, however. It’s a deep dive into Vietnamese history, language, and culture. The novel explores the clash of old and new, as Giang teaches Tâm the new Romanized script for Vietnamese, a stark contrast to the traditional Chinese characters that define his scholarly world. The author, who is an expert in Vietnamese history, meticulously weaves in details about the time period, from the societal norms and political factions to the literary traditions and daily life.

The main characters are well-developed, and the narrative navigates the many obstacles Tâm and Giang face, including the reactionary attitudes of a mandarin, the resistance of a protective mother, and the malicious schemes of a bullying village headman. The struggles of the talented but less powerful protagonist against the entrenched wealthy and influential are a central theme, one that resonates even in contemporary society.

The book has been praised for its rich historical detail, its engaging love story, and its ability to transport the reader to a different time and place in Vietnam, one not dominated by the more commonly portrayed war narratives. Some reviewers have noted that the author’s narrative style, which adopts the conventions of a 19th-century tale, may feel a bit stilted to modern readers, but this is a deliberate choice that contributes to the book’s authentic feel.

Overall, Village Teacher is a beautifully written and compelling historical novel. It is highly recommended for anyone interested in Vietnamese history and culture, or for those who simply enjoy a well-crafted historical love story with a rich and detailed setting.

Please comment and share what you think of the above reviews by the three AI engines. Do you have any favorite, or any criticism of them?

I plan to use the same three AI engines to generate color images to replace the book’s cover. Hopefully, I will have some images to post on this blog in the near future.