Mountain Rain

Wang TongzhaoFeb 2017

3.4

Word count: 158K words
Chapters: 24

Summary

Mountain Rain is one of the hundred masterpieces of modern Chinese literature. Its author exposes the darkness of society, and the work was once banned by the authorities. Wang Tongzhao's writing moved from the realm of idealistic poetry to a reflection of real life, and his aesthetic pursuit shifted from the sentimental to the sublime—a change that also mirrored the evolution of aesthetic consciousness of the time.

Editor's review

Mountain Rain is an important work in Wang Tongzhao's creative path, marking his turn from the realm of idealistic poetry to a direct engagement with real life and a shift in aesthetic pursuit from sentimentality to the sublime. The work exposed social darkness and was banned by the authorities—a fate that itself attests to the force of its critique. Reading this novel, one sees both the transformation of a writer's aesthetic consciousness and the evolution of the aesthetic consciousness of the era, making it not only a literary work but also a sample for observing the transformation of modern literature. For readers wishing to understand the development of twentieth-century Chinese realist fiction, the book offers a valuable point of reference. Be forewarned that the work has an evident intent of social critique; plot and characters serve the theme of exposing darkness, and the narrative pace is distant from today's reading habits. Readers are advised to enter with an awareness of literary history—first grasping the overall orientation, then reading particular chapters closely.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers studying the transformation of modern Chinese literature
Readers interested in realist fiction and the tradition of social critique
Readers wanting to understand changes in Wang Tongzhao's writing
Readers interested in works banned in modern literary history

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer brisk pacing and strong entertainment value
Readers with little patience for heavy social critique
Readers looking only for short pieces and unwilling to commit to a full-length novel

Reading tips

First learn how Wang Tongzhao's style differs between his early and later periods; this makes the shift easier to grasp.
While reading, note how descriptions of setting and scenery serve the exposure of social darkness.
Compare it with realist works of the same period to observe the evolution of the era's aesthetic consciousness.
There is no need to finish it in one sitting; read chapter by chapter and jot down changes in the characters' circumstances.

版权信息
一
二
三
四
五
六
七
八
九
十
十一
十二
十三
十四
十五
十六
十七
十八
十九
二十
二十一
二十二
二十三

FAQ

Why was The Mountain Rain banned by the authorities?

According to the source material, the work exposes social darkness and has a pronounced critical stance toward reality, touching on social contradictions of the time, and was therefore banned. The ban itself reflects the work's unflinching engagement with reality and alerts readers to pay attention to the specific targets of its social critique.

What changes in Wang Tongzhao's writing does this novel show?

The source notes that Wang Tongzhao's writing moved from the realm of idealist poetry to reflecting real life, with his aesthetic pursuit shifting from sentimentality to the sublime. This change was not only a personal stylistic adjustment but also echoed the evolution of aesthetic consciousness of the era, and The Mountain Rain is a key work for understanding this turning point.

Can readers without a background in modern literature read it?

Yes, but some background reading is advisable first. The work's social critique is strong and its narrative pace differs from contemporary fiction; without any knowledge of the social and literary context of the 1920s and 1930s, it can feel tedious. Entering with a sense of literary history, grasping the overall tendency first and then reading the chapters closely, will make for a smoother experience.

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About the author

Wang Tongzhao Author · Chinese · 1897–1957

Wang Tongzhao (1897–1957), courtesy name Jiansan, was a native of Zhucheng, Shandong, and a modern Chinese writer and poet. One of the founders of the Literary Research Society, he advocated "art for life's sake" and focused his writing on observing social reality and exploring questions of human life. His novel Mountain Rain, set against rural life, portrays ordinary people amid social change in a restrained, grounded style and is his most representative work; A Leaf and the poetry collection Childlike Heart also reflect his sustained attention to life and emotion. His works span social fiction, classic works, classical poetry, and prose miscellanies, with a plain style and thoughtful depth. Wang Tongzhao served as chairman of the Shandong Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles and director of the Department of Chinese at Shandong University, participating in literary organizations alongside his writing and teaching.