One man's declassification of solitude

• Source: Global Times
• [20:18 July 19 2009]
• Comments

By Du Guodong

Liu Zhenyun. Photo: IC

Celebrated writer Liu Zhenyun’s new work has been hailed as the first novel in Chinese literary history to probe into the loneliness that some regard has haunted Chinese people for ages.

Published by Changjiang Literature & Art Press in April, Liu's One Word Matches Ten Thousand is an in-depth analysis of the alienation and estrangement that is considered common among many Chinese.

“The loneliness that plagues Chinese people permeates in each society in Chinese history and the novel, focusing on the general population and delving into their souls, constitutes the first of its kind in dealing with the subject since the May 4 Movement in 1919,” commented An Boshun, a well-known publisher and editor of the novel.

One Word Matches Ten Thousand as a reflection of the destiny of Chinese people, especially the lower echelons of society, centers on the lives and emotions of ordinary people in Yanjin, a small village in central Henan Province, where the author was born.

The novel’s plot and characters reflect the often unsuccessful cordial communication between the likes of peasants, barbers and small vendors and endeavors to find a solution to a seemingly age-old problem.

In the first part of the novel, the author tells the story of protagonist Wu Moxi’s search for his adopted daughter Cao Qing’e, who was abducted and the only one with whom Wu could share his deep feelings with.

The second part of Liu’s work describes Cao’s son Niu Aiguo’s spiritual journal back to his hometown, also in search of someone he can exchange his true feelings with.

The two leading characters, both devoid of close friends, are seeking to reach out to someone to share their feelings and burdens.