Normal person

Author: Shen Shanzeng
Publisher:
Publishing Date: Not available
Features: When it comes to Shanghai literature, readers' reactions are often the romance of the early Republic period, the New Sensibility School of Mu Shiyin in the 1930s, or a series of contemporary masterpieces, such as The Ballad of Longing. These works often feature legends set in the dazzling Shanghai of the 1930s and 1940s, reflecting the extravagance and luxury of the "Ten-Mile," with styles that are magnificent and unconventional, rather than simple. Of course, works with a more modest style are not entirely absent—many Shanghai writers changed their styles during the social transformation of the 1950s and 1960s, shifting their themes from urban settings to rural ones, becoming rustic literature free of ostentation. From the early reflections on the "Land Reform" to the emergence of "Trauma Literature," Shanghai literature, constrained by political influences and the personal inclinations of writers, lost its original charm. Fortunately, the author of this book, decades after the fragmentation of the Shanghai literary tradition, presents us with a new portrayal of old Shanghai through his unique perception and writing ability. It is called "new" because the Shanghai atmosphere it depicts is neither in the racecourse nor in the dance hall; it is not about the young aristocrats or the elegant "ladykillers" in qipaos, but rather about the ordinary people living in the shikumen. The era it portrays is also unrelated to the "Paris of the East," famous for its prosperity in the 1930s and 1940s—this book's story begins in the mid-1950s and ends in the late 1970s. It is called "old" because the novel is filled with a strong Shanghai flavor, focusing on the quiet lives of the common people beyond the grand figures and the shimmering silks. The author's is filled with numerous eccentric characters, each taking their turn on the stage. The political movements of the 1950s and 1960s affected their destinies, but they could not change the inherent lifestyle of this Shanghai group—the Shanghai people, no matter how far they go, will always carry a bottle of Sichuan-flavored bean paste to eat with their meals. Under the title The Ordinary People, the author records the thoughts and lives of the people of old Shanghai amid the ups and downs of history. It is truly "what everyone sees but no one writes." Seeing the big in the small, it differs greatly from other literary works of the same era. What is also commendable is the author's unique writing style—combining humor, wit, self-deprecation, and irony, making it a delightful and irresistible read. His self-reflective narrative also reveals his distinctive demeanor—readers who resonate with it are his kindred spirits; if it does not suit your taste, my existence will not be diminished in the slightest—I do not curry favor with others, only because I am truly confident. This book is the literary masterpiece of Shen Shanzeng, a member of the Shanghai Writers' Association Council and the Deputy Director of the Novel Committee. It pioneers the use of the "excitement transfer method" structure and "non-identifying third-person narration" in the narrative of a long novel. It has also made significant contributions to the elevation of Shanghai dialect in literature. In his vivid, humorous, and satirical narration, we can also see the author's artistic personality of deep reflection and a keen concern for ultimate values.