Desire Tower

Author: Yang Junshu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-04-01
Features: The novel follows the life experiences of "I" (i.e., Teacher Sun) as a thread, weaving together moving stories and thrilling scenes. From different perspectives and aspects, it portrays the image of the young intellectual Sun Yunzi, reflecting the desires and pursuits of cultural and educational figures in the post-reform era in their careers and love lives. Sun Yunzi, unremarkable in appearance and with a little-known physical defect, divorces his wife Xin Zhu and ventures alone to the coastal areas of Guangdong. He faces repeated setbacks and constantly struggles against his fate. He has been detained, beaten, humiliated, and mocked; during his time of wandering, he has been a beggar and a fortune-teller. In the world of romance, he has experienced storms and twists, yet his desires not only fail to be suppressed by the harsh reality but instead continue to grow and expand. He engages in extraordinary relationships with Yulan, Lixuena, He Xiaowa, Ye Bin, Jia Zhilin, and several nameless women. He has cried, laughed, caused trouble, gone crazy, and fallen, gaining the highest experiences of life but also leaving behind a trail of bitter consequences. Later, he arrives in Shenzhen, marries a wealthy woman Qian Huaxiang, has children, and achieves sudden success overnight. However, the author does not rush to depict this, instead narrating it calmly, as if sharing everyday stories. The dramatic plot, humorous and witty language, and lively, make the reading experience a great pleasure. The strong national character, distinct sense of time, metaphors and symbols, the unique lifestyle and performance art of the protagonist, the opposing survival concepts and personal spirits of Confucianism and Taoism, all greatly enrich the work's depth.