Grey area

Author: Jiang Ni
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: This is a collection of essays on literature, literary character, and literary spirit, imbued with rare sincerity, bordering on "obsessive" and "stubborn," yet brimming with talent and sounding like natural human speech. The author possesses extraordinary insights, often hitting the nail on the head, making it highly engaging. Discussing Ba Jin, speaking of Jin Yong, commenting on the "Dream of the Red Chamber," and debating the "Nobel Prize in Literature," the author compares "emotion," "love," and "desire" in Chinese and Western literature. While there are occasional biases and preferences, there is also genuine wisdom and understanding. The author presents these thoughts in a graceful manner, hiding sharpness within tenderness, yet frequently delivering incisive critiques, especially targeting Wang Shuo's literary works, which are pinpointed with precision. The depth of his pain reveals the cultural arrogance of a "cultural thug" to a large extent. Good literature is clear in its likes and dislikes, in its moral compass, and in its expression.