Cheng Xinghai is a Chinese author about whom limited public information is available. Only one work by him is currently included in the database: the social novel The True Story of Shigu. Based on the existing information, his writing falls under the category of social fiction, and presumably focuses on the varied aspects of real social life and the fates of individuals. The word "Shigu" (meaning "learning from the ancients") in the title also carries a traditional flavor, possibly using the characters' experiences to reflect social change or human ethics. Since no reliable records exist regarding his birth and death dates, native place, educational background, or creative career, details of his life and literary standing cannot yet be described in depth. Readers who wish to learn about this author may begin with The True Story of Shigu and appreciate his socially oriented approach to writing through its subject matter and narrative style. Only with more material in the future can a fuller picture of his creative profile be sketched.
