BEIJING, July 20 -- Celebrated writer Liu
Zhenyun¡¯s new work has been hailed as the first novel in Chinese literary
history to probe into the loneliness that some regard has haunted Chinese people
for ages.
Published by Changjiang Literature & Art Press in
April, Liu's One Word Matches Ten Thousand is an in-depth analysis of the
alienation and estrangement that is considered common among many Chinese.
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Liu Zhenyun's new book One Word Matches
Ten Thousand. (Photo Source: Global Times)
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¡°The loneliness that plagues Chinese people permeates
in each society in Chinese history and the novel, focusing on the general
population and delving into their souls, constitutes the first of its kind in
dealing with the subject since the May 4 Movement in 1919,¡± commented An Boshun,
a well-known publisher and editor of the novel.
One Word Matches Ten Thousand as a reflection of the
destiny of Chinese people, especially the lower echelons of society, centers on
the lives and emotions of ordinary people in Yanjin, a small village in central
Henan Province, where the author was born.
The novel¡¯s plot and characters reflect the often
unsuccessful cordial communication between the likes of peasants, barbers and
small vendors and endeavors to find a solution to a seemingly age-old problem.
In the first part of the novel, the author tells the
story of protagonist Wu Moxi¡¯s search for his adopted daughter Cao Qing¡¯e, who
was abducted and the only one with whom Wu could share his deep feelings with.
The second part of Liu¡¯s work describes Cao¡¯s son Niu
Aiguo¡¯s spiritual journal back to his hometown, also in search of someone he can
exchange his true feelings with.
The two leading characters, both devoid of close
friends, are seeking to reach out to someone to share their feelings and
burdens.
The author attributes loneliness to the lack of
religion by referencing an Italian priest who arrives in Yanjin and becames part
of the local community.
In China, the absence of religion is often thought to
leave people without a sense of comfort and point of confession.
¡°It is not that God itself makes a big difference,
the fact lies in that God provides a medium for people to communicate and to
share with, in any place and at any time. It is a far contrast from a close
friend, who is constantly subject to change,¡± Liu explained.
¡°In my novel, I struggled to ascertain the true
meanings of human life, for example why Chinese people are often so lonely and
so tired and why it is hard to have a close friend,¡± he added.
The novel allows readers to enjoy Liu¡¯s particularly
humorous style in his poignant portrayal of characters and the environment.
Created over the course of three years, One Word
Matches Ten Thousand is regarded as representative of Liu¡¯s work, following his
trademark narrative style and lucid language and has become a national
bestseller.
¡°This is as of today Liu¡¯s most aggressive and
imaginative novel, full of his unbounded vigor and imagination. He has surpassed
himself in creation with his hardworking and diligence,¡± said Zhang Yiwu, a book
critic and professor at Peking University.
Born in 1958 and graduating from the Chinese Language
& Literature Department of Peking University, Liu has written more than a
dozen novels throughout his career. Many of them have become a success; Mobile
Phone and My Name Is Liu Yuejin were adapted into screenplays and became instant
hits. Liu has since been credited with the title ¡°the closest novelist to
movies.¡±
(Source: Global Times)
