Tian Piao ("Tian Piao" - Subtle and Charming, Cao Wenxuan: Literature Cannot Lack the Quality of Beauty)

Author: Cao Wenxuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: The novel consists of twelve chapters, each titled with rain. Xiangpu Rain, Gouya Rain, Jinzi Rain, Feng Rain, Gui Rain, Lizhua Rain, Yan Rain, Bantiaozi Rain, Wu Rain. "These rains come from the nature of the hometown, as well as those found in Tang poetry," Cao Wenxuan said. "The novel is supported by three dimensional structures of water. Water has three functions: practical function, aesthetic function, and the destructive function of water disasters."
Famous writer Zhang Kangan, after reading Tian Piao, said that the practicality of rain is irrigation and washing. In the novel, it represents the irrigation of love, flowing like a river. The novel also processes all ugly things in an aesthetic way, which is a cleansing for contemporary literature. The destructive nature of water disasters serves as a prophecy and warning, telling people about the demise of power and hatred, as well as the cycle of history.
The entire book of Tian Piao is permeated with smooth and delicate beauty, making it a pleasant and enjoyable read. Critic Zhang Yiwu believes that Cao Wenxuan has the ability to transform human desires, struggles, and the ugliness of things into aesthetic objects through extraordinary techniques, surpassing the traditional approach of Chinese aestheticism writing. The delicate beauty of this book can be described as an "explosion of beauty." If compared to porcelain, Tian Piao is like blue and white porcelain without the "greasy luster."
The flood rages. A coffin carried five-year-old Du Yuanchao to the town of Youmazi, to the side of Caiqin and Qiu Zidong. Amidst the enchanting scenery of nature, the innocent Du Yuanchao and Caiqin fell in love, but this sparked jealousy in Qiu Zidong. When they grew up, because Caiqin was born into a landlord family, she did not marry Du Yuanchao. However, as the Party Secretary, Du Yuanchao and the Mayor Qiu Zidong fought in the arena of power every day. Hatred led them to plot against each other, and their fates were fraught with misfortune. When Qiu Zidong finally defeated Du Yuanchao in his old age, he discovered that Du had done everything for his childhood dreams and love.
The endless drizzle. Countless white doves circled above Du Yuanchao's coffin, floating to where he came from.
The structure of this book is unique, using over ten rains with different connotations to depict characters and stories in a delicate and beautiful way. Life, nature, devoted lovers, and the desires of the soul are immersed in the misty rain of Jiangnan, leaving readers mesmerized and moved. It showcases the astonishing aesthetic power of classical romanticism.