Bandits Annihilated

Name: Bandits Annihilated
ISBN: 9789815112597

陈国楚Universal Publishing House · United KingdomJan 2024

2.6

Word count: 43K words
Chapters: 14
ISBN: 9789815112597

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Summary

In 1949, a political vacuum formed in some parts of Hunan. In the Tantou area of Jianghui County, a bandit force—built around remnant Nationalist officers as its backbone and drawing in the dregs of society—seized the opportunity to plunder and brutalize the common people. Ruthless and vicious, they robbed money, robbed goods, and robbed women. To evade blows from the People's Liberation Army, they exploited the local high mountains, dense forests, and network of rivers and gullies, which made it easy for them to move from place to place and commit crimes. Most operated by night and hid by day, with no fixed abode. But the Communist Party mobilized the masses and, with the PLA as the foundation, formed a grand united front of soldiers and civilians, bravely and ingeniously maneuvering against the bandits until the entire bandit force was wiped out, laying a solid foundation for establishing the government of New China.

The novel Fei Mie opens with the bandits' inhuman kidnapping of a six-year-old boy, Qiu Ya, and ends with the complete suppression of the bandits and Qiu Ya's rescue. It expresses the truths that "a just cause enjoys abundant support while an unjust cause finds little" and that "water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it," teaching everyone to understand that what accords with the interests of the broad masses is sure to win in the end, while what cuts itself off from the masses and violates their interests cannot escape destruction.

Editor's review

Fei Mie is a novel by Singaporean author Chen Guochu that focuses on the history and transformation of Chinese secret societies in Singapore. Grounded in solid historical research and told through fictional narrative, the book vividly recreates the rise, internal workings, violent conflicts, and the shocks and choices these societies faced amid social modernization in mid-20th-century Singapore. As a local researcher, Chen Guochu not only depicts bloody gang clashes but also explores the complex and subtle relationships between these organizations and the Chinese community, the colonial government, and later the emerging nation-state, revealing their social roots and trajectory as products of a particular historical period.

In terms of reading value, the book goes beyond simple gang legend narrative and offers a unique and profound lens for understanding Singapore's social history. It helps readers glimpse the undercurrents that once surged beneath the polished surface of law and order, and the pains experienced by individuals and groups during social transformation. The author's portrayal of underworld codes, character psychology, and the atmosphere of the times is meticulous, and the plot is well paced, combining historical weight with storytelling readability. For readers who wish to understand the internal history of Singapore's Chinese community, the living conditions of marginalized groups, or the history of Chinese communities in Southeast Asia, Fei Mie is a rare serious literary work. It reminds us that the many facets of history are often hidden outside mainstream narratives.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Singapore's social history and the development history of its Chinese community
Readers who enjoy well-grounded gang or social novels based on real historical backgrounds
Researchers or enthusiasts who wish to understand the complexity and diversity of Chinese communities in Southeast Asia
Readers concerned with the interaction between marginalized groups and social transformation

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking light entertainment or pure action-adventure stories
Readers who are sensitive to or uncomfortable with depictions of violence

Reading tips

While reading, consult historical background materials on Singapore before and after independence to better understand the dilemmas of the characters in their era.
Pay attention to the author's portrayal of the contradictions between internal gang 'codes of honor' and survival logic and external social change; this is the book's deeper theme.
The book contains many local terms and historical contexts; taking notes may help clarify character relationships and social threads.

About the publisher

Universal Publishing House United Kingdom

Universal Publishing House is a comprehensive publishing institution headquartered in the United Kingdom. It focuses on publishing Chinese-language books, primarily for overseas Chinese authors, and its range covers literary genres such as wuxia novels, mystery and suspense, and social fiction, as well as law, art, and essays. Its catalogue currently contains about 220 titles, with representative works including Ximen Ding's complete Yidao Yunyan and the Shanmao Wangsen series, along with Burden of Proof in Medical Damage Liability Disputes in the Civil Code Era and Aesthetics, Calligraphy, and Miscellaneous Notes. Other representative authors include Tuo Mingsheng, Cao Lihua, Qian Baohuai, Zi Fei, Chen Yading, Ou Zhaoping, and Cang Er. Public information is limited; based on the books in the catalogue, its publishing direction leans toward genre fiction, humanities and social sciences, legal practice, and popular art books, and it offers authors one-stop publishing services including editing, typesetting, and distribution.

版权信息
序言
01 劫难
02 求伢子沦为囚徒
03 探望求伢子没成
04 土匪尖顶子被捕
05 刘助芳的苦恼
06 首次围剿
07 骗局
08 父母的牵挂
09 争取裴驼子
10 递信成功
11 裴驼子导演周老头送情报
12 土匪覆灭后求伢子回家

FAQ

Is this book a true historical record or an entirely fictional novel?

This book is a historical novel. Based on the author's in-depth research into the history of Chinese secret societies in Singapore, it constructs fictional characters and plots within a real historical background and social context, aiming to artistically recreate the social landscape of that historical period.

Does reading this book require a lot of prior knowledge of Singaporean history?

Not necessarily, but some basic historical knowledge of Singapore's colonial period and early nation-building will significantly enhance the reading experience and depth of understanding. The book itself also provides sufficient background setup for the plot.

What is the writing style of this book?

The style is realistic and restrained, with a steady and orderly narrative pace. It emphasizes the creation of period atmosphere and character psychology, and is highly literary rather than a fast-paced entertainment novel.

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About the author

陈国楚 Author

Chen Guochu is an author about whom limited public information is currently available. Only one work by this author is included in the library collection: the social novel Fei Mie. Judging from the title and its common classification, the work falls within the category of social fiction and may revolve around conflict and human fate against a particular social backdrop. However, the specific plot, historical setting, and narrative techniques cannot be ascertained due to insufficient material. The author's biographical details—such as nationality, dates of birth and death, educational background, and writing career—are not clearly recorded, and no English name is known. It is therefore difficult to assess Chen Guochu's writing style and literary standing with accuracy; only limited clues suggest an interest in social realist themes. Readers encountering this author through Fei Mie should regard it as a limited textual encounter rather than a full picture of an established writer. More public information would be welcome to provide a more complete author profile.