Cracking Down on Organized Crime II

Name: Cracking Down on Organized Crime II
ISBN: 9787512500266

Xu KaizhenInternational Culture Publishing CorporationJun 2023

3.7

Word count: 214K words
Chapters: 10
ISBN: 9787512500266

Report an error Find this book

Summary

This is a true-to-life story that recreates the world of gangsters and their inner lives; it is the story of how a down-and-out small-time mob, by forging ties with senior and mid-level public security officials and corrupt government officials who serve as its protective umbrella, grows into an organized crime syndicate; it is a story of police and criminals matching wits, locked in a tense and thrilling cat-and-mouse game full of twists; it is a story that interrogates life and calls out to it; and above all, it is a guidebook for middle-aged parents steering their children—especially their daughters—into society.

Editor's review

《打黑Ⅱ》(Strike Hard Ⅱ) is another major work by Xu Kaizhen following Strike Hard, continuing his deep exploration of and critical reflection on social realities. This book is not a simple sequel; it probes deeper into the gray zones of power and capital, and through more complex character relationships and plot conflicts presents a contest that sheds no blood yet is breathtaking. Compared with the direct depiction of criminal forces in the previous book, this one focuses more on analyzing the institutional roots behind them and the alienation of human nature under extreme circumstances, showing the author's narrative deepening from describing symptoms to questioning root causes.\n\nXu Kaizhen's writing style is known for its coldness and sharpness; he excels at portraying the many facets and complexity of characters amid intense dramatic conflict. Strike Hard Ⅱ continues this trait: its plot advances link by link and its suspense is gripping, but its core appeal lies in its calm presentation of the logic of power operations and its weighty writing of the arduous quest for justice. There are no stereotyped heroes or villains; every character stands within a specific power structure and social network, and their choices and fates together weave a thought-provoking picture of reality. This goes beyond the pleasure-driven narrative of ordinary genre fiction and offers a reading experience with greater social penetration.\n\nIn terms of reading value, Strike Hard Ⅱ is not only a story about cracking down on organized crime and evil forces but also a prism reflecting the complexity of a society in transition. It prompts readers to think about deep issues such as the rule of law, oversight of power, and social fairness. Although the subject matter is sensitive, the author's narration maintains considerable restraint and literary quality, avoiding simple moral preaching, so that the work achieves a good balance between readability and intellectual depth. For readers who care about contemporary Chinese social reality and like to find room for reflection in stories, this book is a serious literary work worth savoring.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in China's social reality and the progress of the rule of law
Literature lovers who enjoy realist themes and complex ensemble character portrayals
Readers curious about the relationship between the operation of power and social structures
Readers seeking stories that go beyond simple good-versus-evil binaries and offer intellectual depth

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking light entertainment or purely escapist reading
Readers who prefer romance or fantasy and are not interested in serious realist themes

Reading tips

It is recommended to read the previous book, Strike Hard, first to better understand the continuity of character relationships and story background.
While reading, pay attention to how details in the book metaphorically depict power networks and the social ecosystem.
After finishing, consider connecting it with relevant current events or social commentary to deepen your understanding of the book's themes.

About the publisher

International Culture Publishing Corporation China · Founded in 1984

International Culture Publishing Corporation is a publisher known for introducing foreign literature and world classics, with about 283 relevant titles in the database. Its representative books include Goethe's The Sorrows of Young Werther, Hesse's Siddhartha, Jiménez's Platero and I, and Gibran's The Prophet, as well as cultural readings such as Zhu Guangqian's Twelve Letters to Youth and Common Talk on Classics. In psychology, it offers the nine-volume Collector's Edition of C. G. Jung's Works, covering social psychology and applied psychology. Its author resources include Goethe, Hesse, Jiménez, Jung, and Zhu Guangqian, along with Chinese authors involved in translation and compilation. Its publishing focus is on foreign literature, classic works, psychology, and culture, serving both academic and general readers. Public information is limited, and the above is based mainly on the books in the database.

第一章娘子军
第二章话语权
第三章绑架
第四章交锋
第五章看谁狠
第六章没那么简单
第七章生死斗
第八章以牙还牙
第九章大变局
后记

FAQ

Are Strike Hard Ⅱ and Strike Hard one continuous story?

The two works are continuous in theme and style, and some characters and backgrounds are connected, but Strike Hard Ⅱ has its own independent core case and character arcs, so it can be read as a standalone work; reading the previous book, however, helps to grasp the overall context more fully.

Is the content of this book too heavy or dark?

The subject matter does involve the dark side of society and power struggles, and the tone is rather cold and serious, but the author's narration is full of tension and literary beauty, aiming to provoke thought rather than portray despair. It is suitable for readers who can accept and reflect on the complexity of reality.

What is Xu Kaizhen's writing style like?

Xu Kaizhen excels at realist writing, with a sharp style and profound brushwork, focusing on exposing social problems and portraying the complexity of human nature. His works have tight plots and intense conflicts while containing critical reflection on institutions and culture, giving him a distinctive personal style among contemporary writers.

Related on WeRead

Comments

Find this book

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

Xu Kaizhen Author · China · 1966

Xu Kaizhen, born in Gansu in 1966, is a contemporary Chinese novelist and a contracted writer with the Gansu Provincial Literature Academy. He previously served as a government secretary and a deputy general manager of a state-owned enterprise before resigning from public office in 2002 to devote himself to writing, an experience that gave him close insight into the workings of officialdom and state-owned enterprises. His works are mostly drawn from real social life, commonly categorized as social fiction, fine fiction, and war and military fiction. Representative works include The Political and Legal Secretary, The Provincial Party Committee Team, Crackdown on Organized Crime, and Past Events in Liangzhou. In 2011 he ranked 22nd on the sixth Chinese Writers Rich List, and several of his works have been adapted for film and television. The library holds 30 of his works, noted for their realistic observation and narrative tension.