Chapter 738 Fang Minghua Recommends "To Live"

"'Alive'?

"Yes, Editor Lei, have you read this book?" Fang Minghua asked.

"Of course I have read it. This was a very popular book the year before last. Zhang Yimou made it into a movie and won an award. Why haven't I read it?" Radar said with a smile.

"So what do you think of the writing?"

Radar did not speak, but took out another cigarette, lit one and smoked before saying: "This novel is among the 111 novels submitted. We discussed it for a while in the reading class. I remember Hu Ping - China The director of the Creative Research Department of the Writers Association made a very representative speech.”

"What did he say?"

"He said that this is the least avant-garde novel written by the avant-garde novelist Yu Hua. It not only marks an important narrative transformation and maturity in Yu Hua's novel creation, but also marks the beginning of Chinese contemporary literature in the mid-1980s. The avant-garde literature turned to the literary development and transformation of the 1990s and even the new century. In short, it is a relatively good work." Radar said in the end.

"Then why didn't you even make it into the 20 preliminary lists?" Fang Minghua was very curious.

"This is just the opinion of Hu Ping's family and does not represent all members of the reading class." Radar explained with a smile.

"Of course, this book also has its shortcomings. For example, Fugui's character creation is too simple and lacks the necessary psychological depth and complexity. There are also problems in the handling of historical background. The novel shows several aspects of China through Fugui's perspective. Ten years of historical changes, but it may be too simplified when dealing with this historical background, etc." Radar mentioned several shortcomings of this book in one breath.

Fang Minghua nodded.

"You're right, this book does have these shortcomings, but you can't deny that it's a good book, right? It's better than "The Autumn of Turmoil," right?"

Radar was startled and suddenly laughed: "Minghua, why did you hold on to "The Autumn of Turmoil"? Of course, this is your personal opinion, and you can express it at the meeting."

Having said this, Radar paused and threw away the cigarette butt in his hand: "Minghua, you read the 20 novels in the preliminary selection and did you find any problem?"

"I know that the primary candidates are basically traditional realism, traditional historicism works, new historicism works like "To Live" and avant-garde narrative novels are almost completely wiped out." Fang Minghua said lightly.

"Since you can see the clues, you don't have to ask me why "Alive" was not selected in the primary selection, right?" Radar said.

"But it's not fair! You also know that from 1989 to 1994, a large number of new historicism and avant-garde narrative novels emerged, why should you turn a blind eye?! I don't care about anything else, but since I am asked to be a member of the jury, then I have You have the right to recommend works that I admire!" Fang Minghua said firmly.

"Editor Lei, can you do me a favor?"

"Do you want me to be one of the judges who recommend this work?" Radar asked.

"Yes, according to the regulations, three judges are required to recommend a new work. Counting you, there is still one short. To be honest, I am not very familiar with most of the judges at the meeting, and I don't know what they think of this novel. "

After listening to this, Radar pondered for a moment and said, "Chen Jiangong is also a member of the reading class. He was also very interested in this book at the time. You can find him."

"Okay, I'll look for you when I get back tonight!"

After walking around with Radar, he returned to Minghua behind the hotel to find Chen Jiangong.

Chen Jiangong's current position is Secretary of the Secretariat of the Chinese Writers Association, Director of the Creative Research Department, President of the Writers Publishing House, and Director of the Office of the Mao Dun Award Jury. He is 47 years old and is relatively young among the Jury.

The two chatted for a while. Fang Minghua got straight to the point and said that he was going to recommend Yu Hua's "Alive" for the jury to read, and asked you to be one of the recommenders.

"Minghua, how do you know that I like this book?" Chen Jiangong was a little strange when he heard something, and suddenly thought of something:

"Radar must have told you! This guy and I are the only two people who are both members of the reading class and the judging panel this time. He is also one of the recommenders, right?"

"Yes, so does Editor-in-Chief Lei." Fang Minghua said with a smile.

"Since it's him, he must also tell you why this novel failed the preliminary review, right?" Chen Jiangong's words were very cryptic, but Fang Minghua understood it.

"I told you, I know it, but I want to try."

"Well, you have to be well prepared. It's easy for the three of us to recommend, but it's not easy to convince these judges."

"I know."

Recommending a book for the jury to read is not just as simple as having three people jointly recommend it. Fang Minghua, as the main recommender, must write down the reasons for the recommendation - that is, the writing characteristics of the novel you recommend, what are the advantages and what Any shortcomings should be explained clearly one by one, and a speech should be made at the meeting for other judges to read and refer to.

From a certain perspective, this is also a means of promotion and publicity.

Of course Fang Minghua should pay attention to it.

Back in his room, Fang Minghua started writing overnight. Unfortunately, he had to write by hand without a computer, which was a bit painful.

Two days later, Fang Minghua officially submitted "Alive" to Vice Chairman Chen Changben as the work to be read by the members of the jury this time.

This is the second person to recommend a novel to the jury after Ding Ning recommended "The Autumn of Turmoil"!

When Chen Changben announced the news at the meeting, there was another burst of whispers in the venue.

Fang Minghua didn't say anything, just sat quietly in his seat.

When the novel was discussed two days later, Fang Minghua stood up and spoke impromptu.

"Comrades, according to the meeting arrangement, I will comment on the novel "Alive" that I recommended. If there are any inaccuracies, please criticize and correct them. Now I will analyze this novel one by one from the following aspects. "

1. The novel adopts a two-layer narrative structure; the first narrative layer of the novel is "I" who goes to the countryside to collect folk songs and listens to "Fugui" telling stories, "I" is a listener, and the second narrative layer is "Fugui"'s narration , he is the witness and narrator of the story. The novel uses a double-layered narrative structure to build a story well.

Below I will discuss each level of narrative:

The "I" at the first narrative level is the creator of the county cultural center who went to the countryside to collect works. Although "I" is the first person in the novel, in fact, from the narrative perspective of the story.

2. The narrative strategy of repetition and interruption is used in the narrative, making the novel more appealing and tense.

3. The "warm narrative" method used in the novel

Fang Minghua spent half an hour analyzing the novel in detail, and many of the judges present nodded frequently.

I have to admit that Fang Minghua analyzed this novel very well.

It is indeed an excellent literary work, but sometimes excellence alone cannot be relied upon.

Of course, this should never be said on the table. We are all veterans.

After Fang Minghua finished speaking, some people also commented. Generally speaking, there were more praises than criticisms.

Fang Minghua listened carefully and took notes from time to time.

He didn't feel much optimism.

Recommending it to the judges for reading is only the first step. And according to the meeting schedule, this meeting will only have preliminary discussions on all works and will not involve specific voting at all.

Who knows what changes will occur in the discussions at later meetings and the key part of the final vote?

The 17-day conference has ended - it was originally 15 days, but was extended by two days due to the recommendation of two new novels.

What makes Fang Minghua feel a little strange is:

Historically, "White Deer Plain", which caused a lot of fuss in the selection of this Mao Dun Award, did not cause any disturbance at this meeting. Everyone almost unanimously believed that this is a rare realist masterpiece in recent years!

What the hell is going on?