The city's lights

Author: Li Peifu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-03-01
Features: The author reflects on history and reality, exploring the arduous journey of farmers "escaping" rural areas and entering cities within the dualistic structure of Chinese urban and rural life. Rural youth Feng Jiachang, in his pursuit of becoming an urbanite, suppresses his humanity and loses himself, struggling in the whirlpool of reality and emotion. This portrays the resilience and cleverness of farmers while also critiquing the irrationality of this current state, calling for early arrival of societal transformation. Liu Gaixiang, the daughter of the village secretary, rises up amidst emotional torment, illuminating the "advance" into the city with her heart. The character of Guodou, the village secretary, is a concentrated embodiment of the rural grassroots power figures by the author, authentically depicting the process of rural power dynamics. On the other hand, the author also portrays small characters like "Secretary Hou" and "Little Buddha Face," who are adept at the art of power games. The novel's language is gentle and poetic, with a tension akin to lyric poetry and a rhythmic cadence like music, creating an accessible and tangible artistic atmosphere.