Waves Surge, Waves Flow
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Summary
Editor's review
In terms of literary value, the author's depictions of Shanghai's urban landscape and street life are highly visual and full of period atmosphere; the language has both the delicacy and gentleness of Shanghai-style literature and a calm scrutiny of real problems. The characters are full and three-dimensional: whether entrepreneurs who seize the chance to go into business or workers facing hardship in state-owned enterprise reform, their struggles, choices, and perseverance are authentic and credible, prompting readers to keep thinking about 'the relationship between the individual and the era.'
As a narrative of an era, the book's reading value lies in the microcosmic map it provides for understanding contemporary Chinese social change. It transcends the category of mere regional literature and holds both intellectual and emotional appeal for any reader concerned with China's modernization process and the survival of individuals during social transformation. The book's depiction of the vitality at the dawn of the market economy, the impact on traditional human relationships, and the reinterpretation of the 'Shanghai spirit' are all worth savoring and reflecting on today.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers interested in the history of reform and opening up and social change
- Readers who love Shanghai-style literature and depictions of Shanghai's regional culture
- Young readers who hope to understand their parents' formative experiences through literature
- Novel lovers interested in realist subjects who prefer solid character development
Not a good fit for
- Readers seeking strong plot and fast-paced entertainment
- Readers lacking basic knowledge of or interest in the history of a particular region
Reading tips
- Can be read alongside urban histories of Shanghai or oral histories of reform and opening up to deepen understanding of the era
- Note how different generations of characters define 'success,' 'home,' and 'belonging,' and appreciate the evolution of values
- Pay attention to the author's descriptions of urban spaces (such as longtang alleys, the Bund, and new development zones), which are themselves important actors in the narrative
About the publisher
Jiuzhou Press is a comprehensive publisher with humanities, social sciences, and classic works as important publishing directions, maintaining a sustained focus on philosophy, history, literature, and social culture. Its catalogue includes works by modern literary masters such as Xiao Hong and Lu Xun, as well as intellectual and art history works by Xu Fuguan, including A History of Chinese Theories of Human Nature: Pre-Qin Volume, A History of Han Thought, and The Spirit of Chinese Art: A Study of Shitao. It also translates and introduces overseas academic works such as Peter H. Wilson's The Thirty Years War: Europe's Tragedy and Peter Suber's The Case of the Speluncean Explorers, and covers cross-cultural exchange themes such as From Dunhuang to Samarkand. Its publishing character lies in balancing the organization of original texts with academic translation, forming relatively stable author and title resources in categories including philosophy, military affairs, theory, and social culture. More complete information about the press's publishing history and plans is limited in publicly available sources; this summary is based only on the titles in the catalogue.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 引 子
- 第一章 初为
- 第二章 恩威
- 第三章 跳槽
- 第四章 情感
- 第五章 背尸
- 第六章 拜年
- 第七章 犯错
- 第八章 蓬莱
- 第九章 救命
- 第十章 出国
- 第十一章 改革
- 第十二章 下岗
- 第十三章 激荡
- 第十四章 重创
- 第十五章 领导
- 第十六章 大酒
- 第十七章 下乡
- 第十八章 心境
- 第十九章 离休
- 第二十章 竞拼
- 尾 声
FAQ
How is this book different from Shanghai-themed novels such as Blossoms?
Do I need to know a lot of historical background to understand it?
What is the emotional tone of the book?
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About the author
Guo Qiang, born in September 1965 in Yucheng, Henan, holds a doctorate in sociology and is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Marxism, Tongji University, as well as deputy director of its Office of Humanities and Social Sciences. He is the originator of social root theory, and his research focuses mainly on the theory of knowledge action and the theory of social development. He has led major projects funded by the National Social Science Fund and has published more than 40 works, including Modern Sociology of Knowledge and Social Root Theory. The library holds 10 of his works, spanning a wide range of subjects: financial analysis such as Understanding the Long-term Stagnation of the U.S. Economy, sociological research such as Social Networks and Group Self-organization Management, essays and fiction such as Sangma Fan Shi 2 and Waves Run, Waves Flow, and practical books such as A Vernacular Explanation of Famous Health Prescriptions from the Thousand Golden Remedies and Windows 10 In-depth Guide, showing that his writing balances academic depth with accessible reading.
