Butcher

Author: Wang Xiangfu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: The novel reflects the life of ordinary people in a northern Chinese town through the experiences of the Bao Gen family. Bao Gen, who had been a professional pig killer and the champion of the slaughterhouse, sold pork in the market after the factory closed. He was honest, hardworking, and bore heavy burdens like an ox. Whenever anyone in the family faced difficulties, they would turn to him because he was resourceful. He sold pork and knew many people, and those who ate meat were considered resourceful. Resourceful people were often officials. However, money had its own way. He was determined to see his son go to university and become a resourceful person, so that his lifelong work with pigs would not have been in vain. He found joy in hardship and had his own desires. Later, he was injured by robbers and had to use a hand-driven wheelchair to dodegrading work—delivering pig blood. His son also took over his father's business—killing pigs. But he did not despair and encouraged his son: "It's good to be alive, and being alive means you can see happiness." "You will have a son in the future, so let your son go to university. When your son goes to university, then my generation's pigs won't have died in vain." The story of ordinary people, filled with sorrow yet laced with humor, where humor only highlights the sorrow. The characters in the novel are vivid, believable, and touching, capturing the essence of the lower classes during the transition period. The tone is humorous yet bitter, with a rhythmic cadence that reflects the author's deep compassion.