Sorrowful Land: Masterpieces of Contemporary Artists

Author: Wang Anyi (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: When it comes to Wang Anyi, those who are somewhat familiar with Chinese literary circles would not feel unfamiliar. Wang Anyi is a unique and rich presence in contemporary Chinese literature. From her 1981 work "Rain, Rain, Rain" to her 2000 novel "Fuping," over the past 20 years, Wang Anyi has consistently written with resilience and a joyful spirit about her life experiences, spiritual adventures, and aspirations for life. Her essays are imbued with the sincerity and simplicity of life, devoid of ornate or overly embellished language, and free from deliberate pretense. Each essay is a life in itself, a microcosm of a real life, plain and unadorned—so much so that it can almost make one smell the simplicity and kindness of yellow soil. This book selects five of her short stories and novellas. It is one of the volumes in the "Representative Works of Contemporary Masters," which includes selected works of six "literary pillars": Shu Ting, Su Tong, Wang Anyi, Can Xue, Liu Xinglong, and Zhang Xin. These six writers have been devoted to the literary cause since the 1980s. In their eyes, literature is a life-affirming endeavor, worthy of lifelong dedication. If creative time is also a form of life, then those who have been engaged in writing for over two decades can be considered middle-aged. They are no longer young avant-garde figures who suddenly appear on the scene, shocking and startling the world; nor are they literary giants who wield influence, uphold traditions, and pass on legacies; nor are they newcomers who act recklessly to attract attention or flirtatiously to promote themselves. They have already established their own creative resumes and reputations, formed fixed literary perspectives and market channels, and developed unique writing styles that leave a distinct personal imprint. Let us glimpse the trajectory of their literary creations through their works.