The Intruder

Name: The Intruder
ISBN: 9787530671665

胡学文Baihua Literature and Art Publishing House · ChinaJan 2023

4.0

Word count: 130K words
Chapters: 49
ISBN: 9787530671665

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Summary

The Intruder is set in the metropolis of Shenzhen and tells of Fang Quan, who works at a technical school, and Wen Yan, a woman at a hair salon, who are together—though not entirely out of love for each other but out of a need to survive. They look only at the present, do not ask about tomorrow, and certainly do not picture far-off futures. One day, a middle-aged woman, somewhat unhinged by her desperate search for her daughter, intrudes into their lives, stirring up one storm and farce after another. Fang Quan and Wen Yan are forced to confront the very questions they have been trying hard to avoid. Through somewhat absurd plot developments, the author reflects on emotional relationships in the city and also reflects how, in the course of the times' transformation, because of each person's definitions and the mixing of identities, everyone is an intruder in this era.

Editor's review

Hu Xuewen's The Intruder is a powerful work of realism that depicts contemporary urban-rural change and the entanglements of human nature with delicate strokes. Through a series of stories of intrusion and being intruded upon, the novel shows the ups and downs of individual fate and spiritual predicament during a period of social transformation. With his profound grounding in rural narrative, the author turns his gaze to ordinary people struggling in the tide of the times; their longings, losses, and resilience flow gently between the lines. This book is not merely a collection of stories but also a mirror reflecting the neglected folds and the warmth and coldness of human relations in the process of urbanization. Hu Xuewen's narration is calm and restrained, yet carries enormous emotional tension, allowing readers to feel inner shock and resonance in quiet reading. For readers concerned with the realities of Chinese society and the depth of human nature, this work offers valuable literary observation and space for reflection.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in themes of contemporary Chinese urban-rural change
Literature lovers who enjoy realism and deep portrayals of human nature
Thinkers who hope to observe the living conditions of marginalized groups through fiction
Readers who appreciate a calm, restrained narrative style rich in tension

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking light entertainment or fast-paced plots
Readers uninterested in rural narrative and social issues

Reading tips

Read immersively in a quiet environment to experience the delicate emotions and the atmosphere of the times in the text.
Consider the characters' fates and the work's themes in light of China's contemporary social context.
After reading, pause for a moment to reflect on the propositions about dignity, belonging, and survival raised in the book.

About the publisher

Baihua Literature and Art Publishing House China · Founded in 1958

Founded in August 1958 and restructured into Baihua Literature and Art Publishing House (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. in 2009, Baihua Literature and Art Publishing House is known for publishing essays and fiction, and it hosts the journals Fiction Monthly and Essays. Its 757 titles in the library span classic works, culture, folk literature, essays and miscellaneous writings, foreign literature, and general biography. They include Lao She's Camel Xiangzi, Zhu Ziqing's selected essays and Classic Essays, Fu Lei's Twenty Lectures on Masterpieces of World Art, and a Chinese translation of Ryūnosuke Akutagawa's Rashōmon, as well as cultural and performing-arts titles such as the illustrated Biography of Liang Qichao and A Dictionary of Crosstalk. Its authors include Lao She, Zhu Ziqing, Wu Qichang, Fu Lei, Xue Baokun, Gao Yucong, Wei Zhiqiang, and Ryūnosuke Akutagawa.

版权信息
逆水而行
一
二
三
四
五
六
七
八
九
十
像水一样柔软
一
二
三
四
五
六
七
八
九
十
从正午开始的黄昏
一
二
三
四
五
六
七
八
九
十
十一
闯入者
一
二
三
四
五
六
七
八
九
十
十一
十二
十三

FAQ

What is the theme of this book?

The book mainly explores urban-rural relations, individual fate, and the complex face of human nature in contemporary social transformation; through the central image of "intrusion," it shows the collision and blending of tradition and modernity, countryside and city.

What are the characteristics of Hu Xuewen's writing style?

Hu Xuewen's style is grounded in realism; his narration is calm and delicate, and he excels at portraying the psychological states and survival predicaments of ordinary people amid social change, with plain yet expressive language.

Is this book a short story collection or a novel?

The Intruder is a collection of interrelated stories developed around a core theme, combining the concision of short stories with the depth of a novel.

Comments

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About the author

胡学文 Author

Hu Xuewen is a contemporary Chinese author about whom limited public information is available. Six of his works are included in this database, spanning categories such as social fiction, classic works, and literary appreciation. Judging from titles such as From Dusk Beginning at Noon, Chasing Shadows: A Collection of Novellas, The Intruder, and Song of the Dragon and Phoenix, he works mainly in novels and novellas. His subjects are close to everyday reality and focus on the circumstances and fate of ordinary people; his narration is steady and his writing delicate, showing a strong sense of social observation. Because his works are classified as social fiction, readers and critics tend to understand his writing in terms of its concern with real life. Two other titles in the database, How to Make Chongqing Hot Pot and A Translation Collection of Studies on Huizhou Lineages, differ markedly in subject—one concerns culinary technique, the other local lineage research and translation—suggesting that the works collected here are fairly diverse and that some may not belong to the same line of writing. As his dates of birth and death, nationality, education, and awards remain unconfirmed, his biographical background cannot be described in detail; readers are advised to learn about him mainly through his individual works.