Spirit Objects - Selected Short Stories of Shu Tiger

Author: Shu Hu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: The mountain people are simple, honest, and fierce, making us, who have been nurtured by modern civilization for years, envy and yearn for them immensely. In the author's portrayal, the Tujia Peng Wazai and the Miao Uge Wawa are both exceptionally skilled in martial arts and brave in combat. After years of enmity, they add new grievances during a hunting trip. Feuding for decades, they reconcile when they learn that their loved ones have left this world due to their long-standing rivalry. They no longer seek to live together but instead wish to die together ("Red Maple Forest"). The mountain people are straightforward, innocent, and kind-hearted! They are truly bold in both hating and loving. Peng Wazai remains deeply in love with the Miao girl throughout his life, and "Lian" leaves her hometown for her beloved younger brother ("Black Grass"). They are also daring and principled, keeping their promises and upholding righteousness. The chief of the Changeng tribe spends his entire life fulfilling the request of a young officer he had only met once, while A Tang, who has become a worker and dreams of becoming a writer, bravely fights against villains with his frail body, nearly exhausting the blood of the mountain people flowing in his veins. This A Tang, as portrayed by Shu Hu, is vivid and memorable, showcasing the author's profound skill in character creation. However, are the mountain people truly fundamentally different from us? No! Their hearts beat just as ours do. Though separated by mountains, I always believe: "There is no paradise outside the world, but paradise lies in the heart." Pastoral idylls and the charm of the mountains may just be dreams we can never recapture. Even those living in the mountains, which seem like paradise, are not always carefree or content. They too have dissatisfaction with their way of life and may suffer from grievances and frustrations due to unfair circumstances. They often long for the outside world, filled with yearning for a happy life and dreams of a bright future. "Folktales from the Border Town" depicts Longyan during turbulent times. Though still carrying the wildness of his ancestors, he often engages in illicit affairs with enchanting women in the village, yet he steadfastly upholds the interests of all villagers at critical moments, leading to his downfall. He died a martyr for justice but was unfairly judged and left unrested in death. This is one of Shu Hu's most outstanding short stories, and Longyan is one of his most thought-provoking characters. luckier than Longyan is Kangba, who endured hardships early in life but found prosperity after middle age when the reform and opening-up policies took hold in "Mountain Man Kangba." However, unfortunately, this part of the story lacks the usual brilliance of Shu Hu's work and is less compelling than the mountain youths in "Dangerous Road." Yet, those mountain youths who have moved to the city and accumulated some wealth or received support from their parents are even more heart-wrenching. Contemporary mountain people, in the context of the market economy and the process of urbanization, are likely caught in a crossroads in both their lives and minds. Now, everyone is focused on "building a new socialist countryside." But what exactly is a "new countryside"? It should be "new" not only in its fields, farmlands, farmhouses, and village roads but also in the perspectives of the mountain people, their lifestyles, and the overall quality of the farmers. The crux of the issue lies in how we can let them "keep pace with the times" while preserving their pure hearts, lovable personalities, and distinctive customs, and at the same time, enabling them to embrace modern civilization and catch up with the pace of development. Many people have yet to realize this! This can be considered an important issue of our time. The works in "Spiritual Objects" vary in artistic quality, but those that represent the author's creative level are characterized by their subtlety, conciseness, and enduring depth. The author possesses considerable literary refinement, writing with precision, rarely resorting to excessive elaboration or, standing in stark contrast to novels influenced by the side effects of film and television. Moreover, his writing strikes directly at the heart, leaving a lasting impression. Though it follows traditional paths, it is the right path, far superior to blindly playing with techniques, trends, or concepts.