Song of Longing

赵祥亦Jun 2023

3.2

Word count: 62K words
Chapters: 17

Summary

When a person is in the grip of longing, personal will issues commands and carries them out—yet is it "longing commands" or "the command of longing"? They look the same, yet are entirely different: the former means consciousness first, then longing; the latter means longing first, then consciousness.

Editor's review

The novel Xiangsi Ling takes the inversion of "longing" (xiangsi) and "command" (ling) as its entry point, unfolding a reflection on which comes first—consciousness or emotion. Author Zhao Xiangyi does not stop at simple romance narration; instead, the author embeds the question of how personal will is driven by emotion into the fabric of the story: when a person is trapped by longing, is it that longing comes first and then gives rise to the command to act, or that a command comes first and then gives rise to longing? This seemingly wordplay-like distinction is in fact the core tension of the book's narrative. The novel's value lies in its handling of a rather philosophical proposition in an accessible style, so that reading it offers both emotional warmth and lingering reflection. The prose moves at an unhurried pace, suited to slow reading on a quiet afternoon or before sleep; readers willing to follow the narration and repeatedly chew over the relationship between "command" and "longing" will gain a reading experience beyond that of ordinary romance works. For readers who enjoy finding conceptual interest in stories, this book offers a light yet rewarding entry point.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy savoring conceptual reflection and linguistic play in fiction
Literature enthusiasts interested in exploring themes such as the relationship between emotion and will
General readers hoping for a thought-provoking aftertaste in a light, compact read

Not a good fit for

Readers of fast-paced, plot-heavy wish-fulfillment fiction
Romance readers looking only for pure sweet romance or angsty love stories
Readers impatient with conceptual narration

Reading tips

First pay attention to passages where the order of "longing" and "command" shifts, and consider the difference in meaning the two orders create as you read.
After finishing, revisit key chapters to check whether your judgment of "consciousness first or longing first" changes with the plot.
Best read slowly in quiet moments, one or two chapters at a time, leaving time to savor and reflect on the concepts.

版权信息
第一章
第二章
第三章
第四章
第五章
第六章
第七章
第八章
第九章
第十章
第十一章
第十二章
第十三章
第十四章
第十五章
第十六章

FAQ

What is the relationship between the title "Xiangsi Ling" and the "ling xiangsi" mentioned in the book?

According to the book's introduction, the two look the same but are entirely different: "ling xiangsi" means consciousness comes first and then issues the command of longing, while "xiangsi ling" means longing comes first and then produces a command at the level of consciousness. The whole book unfolds its reflection around this inversion, and readers can treat this pair of concepts as the key to understanding the story.

Is this a pure romance novel?

Judging from the introduction, the work's focus is not on laying out romantic plot but on using the relationship between "longing" and "command" to explore whether personal will or emotion comes first. It is closer to fiction with a conceptual, reflective bent; readers expecting pure romance may find a gap.

What preparation is needed to read this book?

No specialized knowledge is required, but it is advisable to slow down and pay attention to statements about the order of "consciousness" and "longing" in the narration. Reading with the question "is it longing commanding, or the command of longing?" will make it easier to enter the author's line of reflection.

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About the author

赵祥亦 Author · Chinese

Zhao Xiangyi is a contemporary Chinese author who began writing in 2014. His work consists mainly of novels and philosophical essays, and he has published dozens of titles on platforms such as Dangdang Cloud Reading, Migu Reading and QQ Reading, including The Legend of the Medical Hero, Soul Prison, Revelation, Record of the Heart and The Road Home, with 29 titles held in the collection. Representative works include Sa Ye, Xiang Si Ling, Sha Po Lang, Li Ge, Southbound and Northbound, The Fantastic Journey Chronicles, Soul Prison and The Gathering, and his books are commonly classified as social fiction, otherworld fantasy and science fiction. Influenced by Lu Xun, he attends to reality and human nature, does not shy away from real social problems, and often ends his stories with a note of idealism. Public information about his birth year, education and writing career is limited, so his profile is known mainly through the subjects and style of his works.