Mirage

Yan Geling opens the door to contemporary narratives——
The world was discovered and opened up by the restless.
Life, whether successful or not, is nothing but a mirage.

In the 1990s, Hainan Island in China resembled the American Wild West: a land of chaos and opportunity, attracting countless dreamers seeking wealth and success.

In this land of opportunity and pitfalls, Hebei youth Zhang Mingbo encounters two women destined for him: Xiaoting, the mistress of a wealthy businessman, and Lanlan, a fireworks girl. Xiaoting is his first love, leaving an indelible mark on his heart. However, the challenges of reality render this love fragile and unattainable. Lanlan, Zhang Mingbo's support in times of hardship, her selfless devotion gives him strength amidst the storms of life.

During this period, Zhang Mingbo also met the mysterious and wealthy Biaozong and the cunning and greedy Abu, and was involved in the greed and chaos of the bubble economy, and experienced the struggle and decline of human nature.

★ A "Great Gatsby"-like story of dreams and disillusionment: Zhang Mingbo's pursuit of love and wealth is like Gates' pursuit of the green light: beautiful yet fragile. Xiaoting, like that unattainable dream, inspires Zhang Mingbo's endless desire. However, the cruelty of reality ultimately shatters the dream like a mirage.

★Using the filter of "Fang Hua" to depict the small people in the great era, the description of the times in "Mirage" is similar to Jin Yucheng's "Fang Hua". With her keen observation and delicate brushstrokes, Yan Geling depicts a social picture full of vitality and complex human nature in China in the 1990s.

"He also couldn't bear to part with Lan Lan. Lan Lan, the master of the rich Guizhou cuisine; Lan Lan who endured humiliation and made light of heavy tasks; Lan Lan who appreciated and cherished the blessings she had. She always said, 'This is so much better than our hometown, how poor we were...' She always stopped here, as if she saw the vast expanse of poverty, stretching as far as the eye could see. She was stunned and speechless because the poverty was beyond words, just as the beauty of a beautiful scenery transcended any words."

Features of this book
1. A profound and true portrayal of love. Yan Geling delicately depicts the emotional entanglements between the male protagonist Zhang Mingbo, Lan Lan, and Xiao Ting. This is not only true and touching, but also reveals the fickleness, sweetness, and bitterness of love.

2. Rich historical and social background. Set in Hainan Island during the early years of China's reform and opening up in the 1990s, the film truly recreates the story of the grassroots people fighting for their dreams and livelihoods.

3. A True Look at China's Real Estate Bubble: "Mirage" reflects the economic prosperity and subsequent bubble crisis of Hainan Island in the 1990s. Following Zhang Mingbo's pursuit of wealth and dreams, it is as if one is experiencing the ups and downs of contemporary China's real estate market firsthand.

4. Three-Dimensional Characters Yan Geling excels in creating complex yet realistic characters: Zhang Mingbo's courageous perseverance, Lan Lan's selfless devotion, Xiaoting's purity and gentleness, and Biao Zong's cunning and greed... These characters with distinct personalities showcase the diversity and complexity of human nature.

Recommender
Zhang Jieping | Liu Zhixin, founder of Enclave Bookstore | Luo Yujia, author of "The Making of Truth" | Gu Yuling, poet | author

2024-08-07

惑星文化

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