Three stand out

    Looking back on the novels of 2004, we find that many writers still lack a general grasp and sense of observation of our times, society and its spiritual situation. Today's novels are generally lacking in terms of their ability to express the courage required to face reality and philosophical meaning. But three books may be considered the exception and are among the best of 2004.

    Wu Jun's "We Are Not the Same Human Beings," published by the Shenzhen Writers Press, portrays the lives of those in "Grey Dirt Street." Located somewhere in the country's far northeast, its characters are not locals, but people who have drifted there from Shandong Province.

    The author tries to present the lives of grassroots people through the stories of those on the move since the 1970s. The novel tells about a number of characters, but the most important is the street itself, a metaphor for circumstances that are above people.

    Through its fragmented narration, the author provides a personal and folk account of a group of people. She knows them well because she herself is one of the inhabitants of "Grey Dirt Street."

    We read of how the people in the street like to shout abuse. None have ever been to university, but many have made it into prison. If even one day passes when no one is found pounding and breaking things, no one is fighting and or being menaced with death, or no one hits their children, "Grey Dirt Street" would no longer be.

    When the consumer economy started, the people of "Grey Dirt Street" began to go into business. Through what changes and what remains, the author explores the dark side of human nature and how difficult it is to change.

    Wen Lan's "Valley of Destiny," published by the Shanghai Literature and Art Press, is a work the author revised and rewrote for more than 20 years. In it Wen pours his unforgettable personal experiences and a part of social, political life that was closely related to his youth and love.

    It has been nearly 30 years since the end of the "cultural revolution" (1966-76), however, we do not seem to have many good works concerning this bitter period, one which touched the whole nation.

    The value of "Valley of Destiny" is just that. It reproduces the social and humanistic life of a small town in the west from the 1950s to 1970s, and provides a first-hand account of the spiritual lives of the peasants, military, cadres and intellectuals there.

    The author's successful portrayal of the protagonists is powerful. Ge Donghong's blind faith in revolution and spiritual numbness is shocking, but real. The timid and inconsistent character of another protagonist, Cai Wenruo, discloses the very inhumanity of the time.

    In some sense, "Valley of Destiny" is a written confession of not only Cai, but the author himself. Though I do not appreciate the author's detective-style beginning, "Valley of Destiny" is a book which shakes the apathy and forgetfulness of our nation.

    Xu Guixiang's "Sky of History" is an outstanding novel about army life in recent years. It became even more famous after being adapted for the small screen.

    The outstanding part of the novel lies mainly in its treatment of the relationship between history and individual characters. We have seen many novels with this theme with clear-cut clues, but symbolic characters who seem to function only as some negative and passive tools for the interpretation of historical rules. In "Sky of History," the lives of the characters are filled with dramatic changes, with wrong decisions at every turn.

    The author does not exaggerate casual factors, but rather interprets from a new angle people's destiny when caught up in war and politics, and their confusion over the reality in which they find themselves. The book is not only about people in history, but also about the history of humankind.

    With its various vivid characters, scenes that sound both familiar and strange, and its structure through time and space, "Sky of History" inspires the reader to ponder on both history and life.

    Since the 20th century, the Chinese nation has experienced many disasters, and modern Chinese literature has followed a winding path. In this new era, with the nourishment of world literature and modern art, Chinese literature has made great achievements. And as an important genre of literature, Chinese novels have also developed considerably.

    However, on the level of reshaping the national soul, and in regard to possessing the deep human content displayed by world literature, our novels are still not mature and deep enough. We have seen too much commercialization in writing. This is not to be wholly criticized, but it should be, at most, just one of the dimensions of literature. What we hope to see, are novels that give a strong expression of the lives and development of the Chinese nation.

(Source: China Daily)