On October 2nd, a captivating book discussion took place in Beijing, focusing on the themes of women, family, intimate relationships, and personal growth as showcased in Liao Jing’s novel “Bai Lu Chun Fen.” The engaging panel featured literary critic Yue Wen, author Shen Shu Zhi, media personality Fu Shi Ye, and the novel’s creator, Liao Jing, who sparked lively conversations around the work.
“Bai Lu Chun Fen,” Liao Jing’s latest long-form novel, intricately weaves the narrative of a family’s fate. “As a literary creator, grappling with authentic life experiences is a lifelong challenge,” Liao notes. She explains that this novel represents an effort to confront deeply buried personal experiences. Growing up in a large, intergenerational family, she witnessed the complex interpersonal dynamics within her community, including the gossip and drama among relatives and neighbors, crafting an insular world. In this way, “Bai Lu Chun Fen” tells not only the story of one family but also reflects the interconnected narratives of many lives.
Yue Wen emphasizes the novel’s strength in its complexity, stating, “Liao Jing has skillfully crafted various conflicting relationships around family, aging, and gender dynamics, each corresponding to a specific dimension of life.” Among these themes, “family” stands out as particularly significant. “Through family relationships, Liao captures the challenges and confusions we face in today’s society, making it resonate deeply within the narrative.”
Fu Shi Ye echoes this sentiment, remarking, “While ‘Bai Lu Chun Fen’ explores archetypal family themes, it goes beyond formulaic storytelling, allowing readers to engage with it from their own perspectives. The book stirs a wealth of family-related memories.” He highlights the novel’s distinctive quality, describing its “mysterious” atmosphere: “Instead of framing the highlights or conflicts of family life as climaxes, Liao Jing subtly weaves them into the fabric of the story, posing a remarkable challenge for writers.”
Yue Wen asserts that “aging” is a critical theme in “Bai Lu Chun Fen.” “The novel illustrates how the forces that once held the family together begin to unravel under the weight of aging. It’s akin to a spider web slowly fraying, ultimately leading to disintegration.” Moreover, Liao’s gentle prose reveals the stark reality of aging, emphasizing a gradual withdrawal from life.
Shen Shu Zhi shares that “Bai Lu Chun Fen” compelled her to confront her family’s aging. “This is a universal emotion; when faced with the reality of aging, it often feels like there’s so little we can do,” she reflects.
Yue Wen also delves into the novel’s portrayal of complex human relationships, particularly through the lens of sisterhood and gender dynamics. “Sisters can embody both love and jealousy, and this nuanced interplay is beautifully depicted in the book. The unspoken yet deeply felt emotional ties continue to captivate readers.” She adds, “What does it mean to navigate gender relationships? In the absence of love, one might seek emotional support, mistaking something that seems sweet for poison cloaked in honey. This exploration enriches the narrative profoundly.”
At the event’s conclusion, Han Jing Qun, the chief editor of Beijing October Literature and Art Publishing House, shared his thoughts on “Bai Lu Chun Fen.” “As biologist Bi Shumin stated in ‘Injuries in the Family,’ the greatest harm often comes from our own families. Yet, amidst Liao Jing’s sharp, sometimes cold portrayal of these struggles, there is an underlying sense of goodwill, reflecting love between people and the poetry of life. Just as the title ‘Bai Lu Chun Fen’ suggests, although wars eventually conclude, our families remain our safest sanctuaries.”
