Room Four

Author: Ba Jin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-10-01
Features: These three novels are later referred to as the "Human Trilogy" and are considered the pinnacle of Ba Jin's later works as a master of modern Chinese literature. This set can be said to represent the peak of Ba Jin's creative artistry. His overall writing style underwent a sudden change, shifting from the early passionate and lyrical tone to a calm and profound revelation of life's realities. Its artistic level far surpasses his famous work The Family. Ba Jin could be called an expert in trilogies; he has written the "Love Trilogy," the "Torrent Trilogy," and the "Revolution Trilogy." The monumental work Fire is also known as the "War of Resistance Trilogy" because it is divided into three volumes. Now, his The Restless Garden, The Fourth Ward, and A Night in Winter are collectively known as the "Human Trilogy." The Fourth Ward is slightly longer than The Restless Garden, approximately fifteen thousand words, and features a unique theme. Xiao Hong's The Story of Hulan River depicts a small town, Lao She's Four Generations Under One Roof portrays a lane, while Ba Jin's novel focuses on a wartime hospital. Through the diary of a patient over eighteen days, it reflects the lives of all sorts of people in the rear areas during wartime. When it comes to darkness and suffering, the saying goes, "Eighteen layers of hell," but The Fourth Ward could be considered the nineteenth layer. Inpatients had to buy their own special medicine, adhesive tape, and toilet paper. Many patients couldn't afford the special medicine and died screaming in bed. Some patients couldn't pay tips, and the attendants didn't clean the toilets, leaving them in agony from holding their bodily wastes. Yet in the midst of this darkness and suffering, there was a flickering glow of warmth and love like fireflies. Dr. Yang Muhua, with her thick hair, large eyes, and tender heart, and the restaurant boy Lao Xu, who cleaned the toilets for patients for free, became like springtime in a withered winter and angels in hell.