The Story of Hulan River

Author: Xiao Hong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: This work is a representative piece from the later period of Xiao Hong's career. Through reminiscences of various figures and scenes from her hometown, it expresses the author's negation of the distorted human nature and damaged personalities in the social reality of old China. Many researchers have noted the "loneliness and melancholy" sentiment in the work, which can also be understood from this perspective. Of course, what deserves attention is the unique artistic individuality of this work. Mao Dun has a comprehensive grasp of it, which is quite accurate—"But I feel that it is even better and more meaningful precisely because it is not completely like an autobiography. Moreover, can we not say that the key is not that Hulan River is not a strictly defined novel, but that beyond this 'unlikeness,' there are other elements—things that are more 'alluring' than resembling a novel: it is a narrative poem, a colorful folk painting, a series of poignant ballads. It contains satire, but also humor. At the beginning of reading, there is a sense of lightness, but as you delve deeper, your heart gradually becomes heavier. Yet, there is still beauty, even if this beauty is somewhat sickly, it still cannot help but captivate you." (On Xiao Hong's Hulan River)