Nou Hach
Nou Hach was a famous Cambodian author, perhaps best known for his novel, Phka Sropoun. He was born in Battambang, and died during the Pol Pot regime.
Early life and education
Hach was born to a farming family in Kampong Preah Commune, Sangkae District, Battambang, Cambodia. He was the first child of his family. He studied at Wat Kampong Preah Primary School and could read Sastra Sloek Rith, a kind of Khmer book made from leaves, very fluently. In 1932, he passed the entrance exam at Preah Sisovath High School in Phnom Penh. He was very studious and hardworking, and graduated successfully.Career
After graduation, he work as a jude in Siem Reap. In 1947, he became a publisher for Kampuchea Newspaper in the Ministry of information. Then he became the assistant of the prime minister Yutavong in 1948. After that, he returned to the Ministry of Information and worked as the head of the department.In 1952, he worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Director in Directorate of Political Affairs. As Director, he was sent to have commission in Thailand, Yugoslavia and so on. Due to his good work, he was appointed as the Cambodian representative to Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as a special representative at United Nation.
In 1952, King Norodom Sihanouk appointed him as the secretary of Ministry of Public Works and Communication by Royal Decree 252.
On January 17, 1958, he became a member of the Khmer Writer Association, created by Rim Kin in 1954, according to Neak Nipun Khmer Magazine Year 2, Number 3, February 1996 Page 3.
Personal life
Nou Hach married Tan Rem and had 8 children. Some of his children currently live in the United States and Australia. He was killed by the Khmer Rouge in 1975.Literary career and selected works
His best-known novel is Phka Sropoun. He also wrote numerous poems in French. In addition, he contributed to many magazines, such as Reatrey Thngai Sao Magazine, Neary Magazine, and Roum Mitt Magazine.His other works include:
| Title | Title in Khmer | Year | Other |
| Phka Sropoun | ផ្កាស្រពោន | 1949 | |
| Mealea Duong Chit | មាលាដួងចិត្ត | 1972 | |
| Truoy Chivit | ត្រួយជីវិត | 1973 | |
| Meakthu Ruscheat | មធុរសជាតិ | 1951 | Neary Magazine Number 10 Page 353-356 |
| Kon Krork | កូនក្រក | 1953 | French poem published in Roum Mitt Magazine Number 8, May 15, 1953 Page 15-16 |
| Damner Chenh Tov Protes Barang | ដំណើរចេញទៅប្រទេសបារាំង | 1952 | French poem published in Neary Magazine Number 11, November 11, 1951 Page 396 |
| Khting | ខ្ទីង | 1951 | Example |
| Neary Cheaty Sneha | នារីជាទីស្នេហា | 1953 | |
| Leavorn Ning Rovunt | លាវ័ណ្យ និង រវិន្ទ | 1953-1955 | Published Part 1 in 1953 and Part 2 in 1955 |
| Lbat Koy knong Krea Muoy Nov Tonle Sap | ល្បាតគយក្នុងគ្រាមួយនៅទន្លេសាប | 1952 | Reatrey Thngai Sao Number 10, February 19, 1952 Page 29-31 |
| Tho Bek | ថូបែក | 1952 | French poem published in Neary Magazine Number 13, January 1952 Page 11 |