Wang Liyun is an author about whom little public information is currently available; he is known only as the author of the book Wu yu Shi (Fog and Stone). The work is classified as a social novel, suggesting that its writing draws on social reality and presents, in fictional form, the experiences and relationships of characters within real-world circumstances. Because no reliable records have been found concerning the author's nationality, dates of birth and death, professional background, or writing career, it is not yet possible to trace a complete account of his life, nor would it be appropriate to speculate about his education or literary influences. On the basis of the available information, Wang Liyun's name is associated with this single work, and readers wishing to understand his writing must chiefly rely on the novel itself. Social novels generally focus on the tension between individual fate and the social environment; if Wu yu Shi follows this direction, its value lies in using narrative to present the complex texture of real life. It is hoped that more public information will become available in the future so that this author can be introduced more fully.
