Xirang

Name: Xirang
ISBN: 9787539660356

夏金林Anhui Literature and Art Publishing House · ChinaNov 2021

3.5

Word count: 429K words
Chapters: 4
ISBN: 9787539660356

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Summary

The novel *Xirang* follows the life of centenarian Liu Chunlan, unfolding a century of rural history and change in the Lujiang and Tongcheng areas of Anhui. Set in Liujiagang Village and centered on the rise and fall of the Liu family, it traces through Liu Chunlan's life the village's transformation from a poor, backward mountain community to a new countryside where everyone enjoys a good life. Around Liu Chunlan, the novel also portrays a cast of characters including Kuang Xiaohai, Wu Xiong, Hong Xiaojiao, Lihua, Guihua, and Han'er. It reflects the inner turmoil and struggles of people in different historical periods, and their longing for and unwavering pursuit of a better life.

Editor's review

*Xirang* is a novel by Xia Jinlin, published by Anhui Literature and Art Publishing House. The title comes from an ancient Chinese myth about soil that grows on its own and never diminishes; in the book this image is subtly transformed into a profound metaphor for the complex relationships among life, memory, land, and people. Set in the Chinese countryside, the novel depicts several generations' ties to, conflicts with, and reconciliation with their native land amid changing times, through delicate prose and multiple narrative perspectives. Drawing on his grounded experience of rural life and a distinctive literary eye, Xia Jinlin builds a literary world that is both real and richly symbolic, with vivid characters, densely layered plotting, and emotional tension throughout. In terms of reading value, *Xirang* is not only a narrative about attachment to the land but also touches on universal issues such as the loss of individual and collective memory and the confusion of identity in the course of modernization. Its literary quality lies in the poetic restraint of its language: rather than overplaying suffering or nostalgia, it lets readers feel a deep and resilient vitality through the accumulation of everyday detail. For readers who love serious literature and care about social change and the depths of human nature, this book offers rich space for interpretation and lasting resonance.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers with a strong interest in Chinese rural literature and the theme of social change
Readers who appreciate realist fiction with delicate language, steady narration, and rich symbolism
Those who hope to understand the relationship between the individual, history, and the land through a family story
Readers looking for serious literary works that provoke deep thought and emotional resonance

Not a good fit for

Fans of fast-paced, plot-heavy, or highly entertaining web fiction
Readers with little patience for rural themes or slower, more reflective narratives

Reading tips

Consider reading alongside the historical background of modern and contemporary rural change in China to better understand the characters' fates and choices
Pay attention to the appearances and evolution of the central image of "xirang" throughout the book, and how its symbolic meaning intertwines with the story
Read at a slower pace and savor the author's descriptions of natural scenery and everyday detail, which often carry the emotional and thematic weight

About the publisher

Anhui Literature and Art Publishing House China · Founded in 1984

Founded in 1984, Anhui Literature and Art Publishing House is a professional literary and art publisher. Its collection of 389 titles spans classic works, essays and miscellaneous writings, Eastern philosophy, folk literature, classical literature and design. Representative books include Lao She's Camel Xiangzi, Laozi's Dao De Jing, Luo Guanzhong's Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and the Shakespeare drama collection featuring Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth and Othello, with Zhu Shenghao's translations adding luster to the series. Its author resources range from classic Chinese and foreign writers such as Lao She, Laozi, Luo Guanzhong and William Shakespeare to translators and authors including Zhu Shenghao, Li Chensen and Liang Sicheng. The publisher is characterized by its balance of Chinese and foreign literary classics with traditional culture titles, combining scholarly value with popular reading. Public information is limited, and the above is based mainly on the books in the collection.

版权信息
第一部分精卫
第二部分刑天
第三部分逐日

FAQ

What is this book's Douban rating?

As far as can be checked, public Douban ratings for *Xirang* are currently incomplete or below the threshold for display. As a serious literary work published by a regional literary press, its circulation and evaluation are concentrated more among literary circles and dedicated readers. Readers are advised to follow professional reviews or discussions in literary journals.

Has author Xia Jinlin written other works?

Xia Jinlin is a writer focused on literary creation, and his work has appeared in Chinese literary journals such as *People's Literature* and *Harvest*. *Xirang* is one of his representative novels, reflecting his consistent rural concern and steady narrative style.

Is the book's subject matter too heavy?

*Xirang* deals with weighty themes of land, memory, and inheritance, and its narrative tone is deep and restrained. But it does not simply dwell on heaviness; in its faithful depiction of life, it affirms the resilience of life and holds a faint hope for the future. It suits readers willing to immerse themselves in a deep reading experience.

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About the author

夏金林 Author

Xia Jinlin — public information about this author is limited, and all that is currently known is a single work of social fiction titled Xirang (Breathing Earth). Judging from the genre category to which this work belongs, Xia Jinlin's writing tends toward social fiction, focusing on worldly affairs and human life in real society and using narrative fiction to present the relationships between people and between people and their environment. Because only one work by this author is held in the collection, details of the author's life, chronology of works, and other writings cannot be verified, nor is it possible to summarize a complete creative trajectory or overall style. As for Xirang, readers may regard it as an entry point for observing the author's narrative interests and choice of subject matter: the title carries connotations of land and livelihood, echoing the realistic concerns of social fiction. For readers hoping to learn about Xia Jinlin, this work is the main text currently available, and its value lies chiefly in its choice of subject matter and its practice of social-fiction writing.