Mayor's Diary

Author: Jiao Shu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-06-01
Features:
Deng Youmei (Vice President of the Chinese Writers' Association, renowned writer): The Mayor's Diary is a work that is faithful to life, faithful to art, and faithful to the people. It is the crystallization of a writer's years of sharpening their sword.
Zhang Qie (Vice President of the Chinese Writers' Association, renowned writer): The Mayor's Diary is a meticulously crafted novel. Without personal experience in real-life situations, one would not have such insights, nor could they obtain such vivid material. Of course, without such authentic realism, it would not have been possible to create such an original work.
Yan Gang (renowned critic): Is it about critiquing petty-peasant consciousness or exposing social secrets? Or is it simply a national report on living in relative comfort while still being wary of danger? At least, it is more honest than some of the officialdom literature that is popular nowadays. It is called a novel, "the truth in a lie." The Mayor's Diary is called a novel, but it is grounded in the real mayor and supported by real diaries as evidence. Even if there are omissions, they would not be far-fetched. Private desires and public justice intertwine, human emotions and the law become entangled—unraveling them is impossible. The immigration work pushes forward amidst the glow of swords and shadows, seemingly at a rapid pace, yet the hearts of people have changed. Who is in need of healing is also in need of being healed. The subtle observation of human nature, the genuine perception of spiritual phenomena, the flexible, worldly, and even "balanced" adherence to reason, the artistic grasp of the main theme, variations, and harmony—all have been meticulously crafted. With genuine meaning, without adornment, simplicity conveys the essence. As long as the message is conveyed, even without any background context, even dry numbers can become symbols of life. Hegel once said in Aesthetics (Part 1): "The more conflicts and challenges the environment presents, the greater the destructive power of the contradictions, yet the more the soul remains steadfast in its character, the more profound and strong the subject's character becomes." Thirty thousand words do not feel long; the changing tides and winds make it truly captivating.
Zhou Ming (Deputy Director of the Modern Chinese Literature Research Institute, editor, writer): The writer has rooted themselves in the fertile soil of life, drawn rich nourishment, and diligently cultivated to complete this magnificent work that reflects the era of transformation! The work is filled with passion, carries a strong sense of the times, and is both innovative and profound. It is believed to be well-received and loved by readers.
Li Bingyin (renowned critic): The Mayor's Diary is a highly personalized novel. The protagonist is a mayor responsible for immigration work, who observes and experiences life from a unique perspective. Within the conflicts, changes, and extensions of life for the protagonist—such as development versus conservation, sorrow versus savagery, passion versus love, culture versus customs, and utilitarianism versus morality—brilliant stories and profound reflections are woven, leaving behind a colorful gallery for the reality of China and the history of the nation. The Mayor's Diary is set against the background of the Xiaolangdi immigration project, connecting various aspects of the story. While deeply depicting the operations of governments at all levels, the author's pen delves into the grassroots people at the bottom and touches upon provincial and ministerial officials at the top, capturing the complex and intricate contradictions into the narrative, giving the work a vast amount of social information.