Invisible

Author: Xia Mang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: The Invisibility tells the story of the Warring States and Qin dynasties, blending war, love, history, mythology, witchcraft, and craftsmanship into one. It is imbued with a strong sense of history, inheriting the tradition of Chinese mythological fiction while also incorporating modern and contemporary thoughts and ideas, showcasing elements of magical realism. The plot is complex yet clearly structured, with characters vividly portrayed through numerous unique details, reflecting the author's rich imagination and skill in constructing stories and shaping characters. It pursues historical color yet employs a contemporary narrative style, seamlessly connecting thousands of years of culture with modern reflections, forming a harmonious whole. Every aspect reveals the author's intelligence and wit. — Song Qun
This book possesses extraordinary imagination, transforming the historical story of the Qin dynasty into what it is today. It equally emphasizes historical threads and imaginative exploration, requiring a certain ability to deconstruct and reconstruct. It contains both the ornate, traditional style following Qu Yuan's Li Sao and the surreal traces of Western modernist fiction. Chapters like "The Soul Plague" and "Invisibility Syrup" shine with rare talent and insight rarely seen in recent literature. — Zhang Qian
The Invisibility reconstructs a history of Thailand from its rise to its fall. The writing style of The Invisibility is entirely novel, and its transcendence lies in its innovative mastery of language. Exaggeratedly speaking, it is a genius-like command, with a grand and majestic prose that is neither lacking in delicacy nor beauty. It is reflected in the depth of its exploration of human nature, where characters navigate and weave through historical events, portrayed as rich, subtle, free, and penetrating through detailed descriptions. It is also reflected in the boundless freedom of its imagination. When telling stories about an era never experienced, the author Xia Mang writes with ease, his imagination unbound.
There are many elements in The Invisibility that transcend reality, such as a peacock delivering love letters or a syrup that grants invisibility. These wondrous things may seem unbelievable, but because the author skillfully maintains a balance, they do not appear far-fetched. We prefer to believe that this credibility is supported by writing techniques. Its transcendence is also evident in its portrayal of desire. The depiction of desire in The Invisibility is not shallow sensory stimulation but rather a mesmerizing aesthetic pleasure. It is romantic, enchanting, and captivating. I believe this novel was written by a poet who loves fantasy, as if it were a work painted with words instead of colors by an impressionist painter.
The Invisibility Period: It was highly prosperous yet rapidly declined. The Invisibility Syrup appeared during its peak, crafted over seventy years by a reclusive old man. He felt immensely comfortable after drinking it, but a child who consumed it felt terrified, as invisibility seemed akin to death. After being resurrected, he cherished life greatly and became a master of Go. His brother, a romantic, also needed invisibility to meet the princess in secret. Despite having possessed and wronged many women in his life, he loved the princess endlessly in a melancholic way. Few people drank the invisibility syrup, but in the end, the "Invisibility Secret Order" destroyed everything.