Persona

Name: Persona
ISBN: 9787559628954

Li ShanglongBeijing United Publishing Co., Ltd. · ChinaJul 2024

3.0

Word count: 114K words
Chapters: 7
ISBN: 9787559628954

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Summary

We perform for others in our social circles every day, yet grow increasingly estranged from our true selves. In this age of proliferating masks, we all need a "collapse"—to break free from the shackles of a curated persona and come face to face with the self we have let drift away.

Editor's review

Persona is bestselling author Li Shanglong's 2018 breakout work, marking a pivotal shift in his career from inspirational essays to realistic fiction. Using the entertainment industry as a prism, the book dissects the pervasive "persona" phenomenon in contemporary society—how we are defined by labels, and how we fall into performative living to sustain them. The story centers on entertainer Shang Xin, who rises from obscurity to overnight fame and ultimately self-destructs when his persona collapses. This narrative thread is not only a sharp capture of the bizarre world of show business but also a trenchant metaphor for the existential predicament of every modern individual. With keen social observation and fluid pacing, Li elevates the concept of "persona" from an entertainment talking point to a philosophical inquiry: when outward performance devours inner truth, where does the self belong? The book's value lies in transcending mere industry exposé or moral critique; it guides readers into a deeper conversation about identity, social pressure, and the authentic self. Both readable and thought-provoking, it embeds a complex portrait of human fragility and resilience within a tightly paced plot—a rewarding read for anyone pondering "who am I" in the age of social media.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in the intersection of entertainment-industry ecology and social psychology
Young people reflecting on personal identity and social-media image
Urban readers drawn to realistic fiction who hope to see their own circumstances reflected in a story
Li Shanglong's fans eager to understand his style as a novelist

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking light entertainment and avoiding heavy themes altogether
Readers expecting conventional motivational Chicken Soup or pure success-strategy stories

Reading tips

Approach it as a social allegory rather than an industry novel, and note how the "persona" concept extends universally
Reflect on your own modes of self-presentation on social networks while reading
Attend to the author's portrayal of human complexity at plot turns, rather than following only the suspense

About the publisher

Beijing United Publishing Co., Ltd. China · Founded in 1993

Beijing United Publishing Co., Ltd. is a publisher known for its literature and history titles, with 2,065 books in the collection. Its publishing covers foreign literature, contemporary Chinese prose and essays, history, folk literature, and cultural books. Its list ranges from Sima Qian's complete edition of the Records of the Grand Historian to foreign classics such as The Book of Disquiet, All Quiet on the Western Front, Snow Country, The Stranger, and Jean-Christophe, as well as modern Chinese works including Teahouse and Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk. Its authors and translators include Yasunari Kawabata, Fernando Pessoa, Erich Maria Remarque, Jin Xinyi, Zhou Miao, and Chen Chao. Public information is limited, but its catalogue reflects a balance between Chinese and foreign literary classics and historical and cultural works.

版权信息
前言
第一章谁是我
第二章我是谁
第三章我是人
第四章我是每个人
后记

FAQ

Is this book very different in style from the author's previous inspirational works?

Markedly so. This book is an important attempt by Li Shanglong to pivot to fiction, focusing on narrative and in-depth exploration of social issues. It reduces direct preaching and encouragement, and instead lets the story itself provoke thought.

Is the story too focused on the entertainment industry to have universal relevance?

Not at all. The author deftly uses the entertainment world as an extreme case and observation window. The "persona" dilemma is pervasive in the workplace, the family, and even social media; the book's core is an exploration of this modern anxiety.

Is the novel's ending too pessimistic?

The ending is indeed tragic, but not to render despair. Rather, it reveals in an extreme way the price a "performative life" may exact. Its cautionary meaning outweighs any pessimism, prompting readers to reflect on the possibility of balancing authenticity and social life.

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About the author

Li Shanglong Author · Chinese · 1990

Li Shanglong, born in Urumqi, Xinjiang, in 1990, is a young Chinese writer, director and screenwriter, and co-founder of Kaochong.com. He gained wide attention in 2015 with the bestselling book You Only Look Like You Work Hard, and was named a Dangdang Influential Author of the Year. His writing focuses mainly on motivational and personal-growth works, including No Way Out, So Find a Way, At Thirty, Everything Is Just Beginning, and the Li Shanglong Inner Drive series; these books often draw on his own experiences and observations to encourage young people to face reality and take action. He also writes fiction, such as Thorn, and has compiled practical computer guides such as the DeepSeek Practical Operation Guide. The library holds 25 of his works, covering motivational growth, industrial technology, social fiction and computer applications. Public information is limited, but his direct, practical style has given him a following among young readers.