Summer Christmas -- For the boys and girls studying in New Zealand

Author: Hai Tian She
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: Placing children born in China in the 1980s into a state of laissez-faire life, what kind of tragicomedy will they perform? From an early age, the beautiful Chinese student Zuo Ming comes to New Zealand for study, enters bars, plays with men, and in the awakening of human nature, painstakingly pursues Qian Yu, a down-to-earth, ambitious student at the University of Auckland. Guo Guo, who carries the pain of her parents' divorce, is sensitive and reserved, ambitious yet slightly rebellious, outstanding among her peers, yet falls in love at first sight with the carefree hippie Hao Ran, who is indifferent to studies. He passionately pursues her, studying abroad in a foreign land. What is embarrassing is loneliness, solitude, and the fear of an unpredictable future, so pursuing various stimuli becomes fashionable, indulging in sex, and willingly becoming casual lovers, becomes a trend. So, what about love? As the oldest and most beautiful emotion of humanity, does love really no longer exist?
Set against the backdrop of the early 20th-century Chinese wave of studying abroad, the novel delves into the realities of life and portrays the inner worlds of its characters, showcasing the unique cultural context faced by a new generation of students abroad. It tells the growth stories of students like Guo Guo, Hao Ran, Zuo Ming, Qian Yu, Lulu, Ma Tian, Jane, Rain, and Water. With a witty and humorous tone, the story is both beautiful and moving. Coupled with the clever revelation of East-West cultural differences and a strong critique of fast-food love, the insights, reflections, and literary prowess of the two young female writers shine through.