Longing Ballad

Author: Wang Anyi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Since its establishment, the Mao Dun Literature Prize has held five editions, with a total of twenty-two long novels (two additional works received honorary awards). Most of these winning works have achieved breakthroughs in the narrative art of long novels, possessing certain ideological depth and strong artistic appeal. They represent the overall pinnacle of long-form creation, showcasing the outstanding achievements of China's long novel writing over the past two decades in the new period, and have become a benchmark in the minds of contemporary Chinese writers. Among them, there are works that reflect on our winding journey and hold enlightenment and guiding significance for new period literature, such as Xu Mao and His Daughters, Furong Town, and The General's Ode. There are also works that depict the profound hardships and constraints of our nation, delving into deep reflections on the fate of the country and the nation, such as The Yellow River Flows East, Heavy Wings, and Choice. There are those that portray the destinies of characters and observe them in the context of social changes, writing about life's struggles and striving, such as The Funeral of a Muslim, The Dust Settles, and The Song of Everlasting Regret. There are long historical novels that draw lessons from history, we, such as Li Zicheng, The Young Emperor, and White Gate Willow. And there are even monumental works of profound and somber depth, piercing the soul, like Ordinary World and White Stag Plain. It can be said that some winning works of the Mao Dun Literature Prize have become classics of contemporary Chinese long novels, holding a pivotal position in the history of contemporary Chinese literature. They not only represent the highest level of contemporary Chinese long novel writing but also resonate deeply, exerting immense influence. Several of them have sold over a million copies, and there is no doubt that their awards symbolize the authority of this prize. Among the winning works of the Mao Dun Literature Prize, over half are published and awarded by the People's Literature Publishing House. For many years, authors, readers, and concerned individuals have expressed a desire to see the entire collection of Mao Dun Literature Prize-winning works published as a whole. Now, with the strong support of authors, their families, and relevant publishing houses, the Complete Collection of Mao Dun Literature Prize Winning Works is exclusively launched by the People's Literature Publishing House. For this compilation, we have meticulously proofread all the works, adding editorial notes to some for easier reading. Multi-volume works that won awards in part have been included in their entirety. At the same time, we have adopted an internationally popular format, large-character layout, and elegant, dignified, and imposing binding, striving to make the Complete Collection of Mao Dun Literature Prize Winning Works a premium, exquisite, and perfect masterpiece suitable for reading, appreciation, gifting, and collecting.
The forty years of love and passion of a woman are written with a delicate and brilliant pen, making them poignant and full of ups and downs. In the 1940s, Qiyao Wang, still a middle school student, was chosen as "Miss Shanghai," marking the beginning of her fateful life. She became the "canary in the cage" of a high-ranking official, transforming from a girl to a true woman. After the liberation of Shanghai, the official perished, and Qiyao Wang became an ordinary citizen. While her outward life was as ordinary as still water, the tides of her inner emotions never ceased to rise. Her complex relationships with several men were all, perhaps, destined. In the 1980s, Qiyao Wang, now in her forties and having come to terms with life, could not escape her fate. She developed an abnormal relationship with her daughter's male classmate and was ultimately accidentally killed, meeting a tragic end.