Nurturing Book Series -- Abu

Author: Zhang Guaren
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Kidult = kid (child) + adult (adult). The Kidult generation is a blend of innocence and passion, entangled in confusion and pursuit! They possess the knowledge and sharp insights of adults; yet, they remain kids, full of curiosity for new things and constantly seeking joy. They are playful, unrestrained, and always do what they love; they are trendsetters, dedicated to every young person living in a dream, forever retaining their childlike hearts. Like the raccoon Abu, like every one of you, and like every one of me, we have boundless dreams but often can't see our own place. This is a (a fast-food era). I can't say this is the sorrow of the world mocking people, but if a society completely loses its innocence, that is a tragedy. Zhang Guaren's Abu brings us beauty, purity, and hope. It is a humorous and witty fairy-tale-like youth novel, dedicated to every young person living in a dream and the ever-childlike Kidult generation.
The chubby raccoon Abu, a village boy, is kind, upright, and always willing to help, though sometimes he plays little tricks and schemes. He is like you and like me, with boundless dreams but always unable to see his own place. When on a date with his favorite girl, he always feels awkward, unable to let her into his beautiful inner world. He watches his first love walk away with someone else's arm but smiles, lying for her. He joins the "Chopstick War" just so the girl can see him on TV. Together with his close friends, the squirrel Big Tooth and the civet cat A Zhu, he spends five years of youthful days at Baohao School, growing up in different ways.
The author boldly explores writing a youth novel in a fairy-tale style, filled with laughter and criticism, exaggerating to the extreme while still maintaining control. It is both real and illusory, portraying the ever-changing moods of adolescence and the diverse characters. With a humorous and funny style, absurd language, and rich imagination, the novel analyzes and satirizes the many unsatisfactory aspects of life, reflecting a beautiful and pure world. It brings readers a brand-new reading experience and provokes deep reflection on the current Kidult generation.