Never say never

Author: Mu Ge
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: What a seemingly ordinary yet philosophically rich modern fable! Have the people crowded at the narrow gate ever thought about whether entering the narrow gate truly leads to paradise? Is America really a paradise of liberation and rebirth? Is the entire youth and emotions they have sacrificed for the ultimate destination of paradise worth it?! The answer is already there — people both inside and outside paradise face the same questions, still the same old question — a modern version of "Fortress Besieged." The frightening part is: those who have made a last-ditch effort to squeeze into paradise suddenly realize: the entrance to paradise is a narrow gate, and the exit is also a narrow gate! A moment's carelessness could turn them into "people in the cracks!" "Experience belongs only to those who cross boundaries, and once one has experience, they can never return to their original state." — Those who want to should think carefully! The novel takes the process of Ning Xin and Ye Qiu, the two female protagonists, going to the United States for the overseas exam as the main storyline, interweaving the love entanglements of several young people. It portrays from multiple angles the evolution of their life philosophies and love concepts against the backdrop of the cultural conflicts between China and America. These young people are both enthusiastic and kind, yet also fickle and selfish. They are dissatisfied with the present and view studying abroad as a path to liberation and rebirth. For this path, they are willing to sacrifice love, youth, reputation, and even family. In the end, they find themselves lost in this confusion. Perhaps this path is not worth so much. The novel meticulously depicts the fervent "TOEFL" and "GRE" preparations of the study-abroad generation, leaving behind a historical snapshot of their time.