1980 My literary era

In early August, the eighth issue of "Contemporary" was officially put on sale. Many loyal readers of "Contemporary" bought the latest issue in bookstores and newsstands for the first time.

When I got the publication, the four-character title "The Dust Has Settled" on the cover stood out.

The title Alai gave to his novel has an otherworldly quality that makes many people fall in love with it at first glance.

Opening the publication, these people immediately noticed that this issue was different.

The font of the novel "The Ashes Has Settled" on the cover is obviously larger than other works. It was published in one issue. No wonder this issue is so thick and the price has been temporarily increased.

With curiosity in their hearts, readers locked their eyes on the text of this novel which enjoys special treatment.

"When the Dust Has Settled" is a literary work with a serious theme, but it is not boring to read. On the contrary, when writing it, Alai cleverly combined Tibetan oral literature and Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury" advantage.

The material of "The Dust Has Settled" is taken from Tibetan folk culture, and it also draws on the narrative method of folk oral literature. It not only has a certain degree of legend and popularity, but also has a high degree of artistry.

Integrating the legendary, popular and artistic nature of the novel, the plot of the story is ups and downs, making countless readers deeply affected by the fate of the foolish second young master.

Lin Weimin told Alai at that time that it was not a false statement that "The Dust Has Settled" deserves a Yanbing Literature Award.

One week after the eighth issue was released, the editorial department of "Contemporary" began to receive letters from readers one after another. As time went on, the number of letters from readers increased.

Half a month later, book reviews about "The Ashes Settled" began to appear in newspapers. Without exception, these reviews gave the novel high praise.

The growing number of positive feedbacks has made the editorial department of "Contemporary", which has been paying attention to the response of this issue, very excited.

Before publishing "The Dust Has Settled", Alai was a little-known figure, whether in the editorial department of "Contemporary", the domestic literary world or among many readers. Looking through his resume, there are only a handful of novels. In "Contemporary" There is only one short story "Agu Dunba" published in the magazine.

Occasionally, when the editors in the editorial department talk about Alai, they can't remember his name and will refer to him as "a Tibetan author from the southwest."

Now, as soon as "The Dust Has Settled" was published, it has received so many favorable comments and strong response. It can be said that it is "one book that became famous".

The editors lamented the rise of Alai and "Dust Settled" in a short period of time, and unconsciously mentioned Lin Weimin, who urged him to publish this novel in the eighth issue.

In the past few months, "Contemporary" had not published any heavyweight works. It is understandable that Lin Weimin was a little anxious when he saw this situation when he returned to China.

It only takes half a month to complete a series of tasks such as revising, proofreading, typesetting, and printing of a novel. It still seems a bit eager for quick success.

Due to time constraints, the manuscript of "The Ashes Has Settled" was not circulated within the editorial department. Most colleagues in the editorial department only saw the true nature of the novel after it was published.

We are all senior editors who have been in the industry for many years, and have worked in major magazines such as "Contemporary". After so many years, we can be considered to be well-informed, and many classic works have been published through their hands.

But after watching "The Ashes Has Settled", everyone almost didn't hesitate and gave it unanimous praise.

When everyone was discussing "The Dust Has Settled", they compared this novel with the many novels published by "Contemporary" over the years. After careful discussion, everyone felt that even under such harsh comparison conditions, "The Dust" The quality of "Settlement" is still extremely excellent.

Everyone is also analyzing what is the biggest reason that allows everyone to reach such a conclusion unanimously.

There is no doubt about the professionalism of a group of editors, and everyone can tell the truth.

Epic temperament, magical color, folk legend...

After discussing for a long time, no one could convince anyone.

At the end of the chat, Tong Zhonggui went to ask Lin Weimin for advice.

"In the final analysis, this novel is a victory of poetry and philosophy. You have all read the novel. Over the years, can you find a novel with a similar temperament to it?"

Lin Weimin's words hit the mark, and everyone bowed their heads in thought.

That's right, domestic literary works in recent years have been like rivers and mud and sand. It seems that any work can find its source. If you don't put a label on yourself, it won't be high-end.

But this is not the case with Alai's "The Ashes Have Settled". He is not a literary variant of any kind.

It is a legendary story born out of Tibetan culture, but it can attract readers' attention and touch their hearts.

To say that this novel is a legendary and magical national epic is too general.

Everyone reflects that what moved them the most while reading was the poetry and philosophy expressed by Alai in the novel?

The second young master, a fool who is both wise and foolish, allows everyone who reads this novel to see the Buddha nature in him.

It is precisely because of this Buddha nature that he is invincible and achieves great victory.

"It's better for the people to see clearly!" He Qizhi sighed in admiration.

If he had not completely understood the core and excellence of the novel "The Dust Has Settled", Lin Weimin would not have been in a hurry to push this novel to the forefront and give it such favor.

While the editorial department of "Contemporary" was hotly discussing the topic of "The Dust Has Settled", other editorial offices in the Chinese Literature Society were also discussing this novel. What everyone felt most deeply this time was that "Contemporary" had discovered another precious author.

Many people in the agency have heard about Lin Weimin's hurried action to publish influential works as soon as he returned from abroad. In the past six months or so, the works published by "Contemporary" have received only mediocre responses. Lin Weimin will take action as soon as he returns. It's understandable.

I just didn't expect that Lin Weimin would act so quickly. The first issue of the magazine after returning to China would publish such a weighty work as "The Dust Has Settled".

During the discussion, everyone was inevitably curious, how could it be such a coincidence that Lin Weimin had just returned to China and "Contemporary" had a good article.

Someone who has a good relationship with "Contemporary" asked about it. It seems to be a coincidence that the Alai who wrote "The Dust Has Settled" is also an author Lin Weimin has been following for several years. It just happened that his novel happened to be delivered after Lin Weimin returned to China this time. Arrive at the editorial office.

Some people think it's a coincidence, but some don't.

How could "Dust Settled" be born without the cultivation and communication in the previous years? Even if it is born, will it be "Contemporary"'s turn to publish it?

Looking back on Lin Weimin's various manuscript-writing adventures in his editing career, anyone who knows his stuff would not think it was a fluke.

When everyone inquired, they also heard that Lin Weimin has several other writers that he is focusing on.

If we look at the effects produced by Alai, once a new work is released by the writer Lin Weimin is paying attention to, it will be simply terrifying.

The impact after the publication of "The Dust Has Settled" was still fermenting. That afternoon, Lin Weimin was found in Cheng Wuchun's office.

"What do you want from me?"

"The film "The Ashes Has Settled" was very well written. You, "Contemporary", have discovered another good work!"

Cheng Wuchun praised him kindly as soon as he came up. Lin Weimin instinctively raised his vigilance, thinking that he was up to something.

After chatting for a while, Cheng Wuchun took out the few Richard Yates books that Lin Weimin had sent to him before.

Lin Weimin said excitedly: "Have you finished reading it all?"

"Well, several of my colleagues in the foreign literature editorial office each read a copy and gnawed at it for almost half a month."

"What do you think? Do you have any opinions?" Lin Weimin asked expectantly.

Cheng Wuchun said: "Everyone's evaluation is very good, and the standard is quite high, no less than the works of Nobel Prize-winning writers imported by the agency."

Cheng Wuchun's words made Lin Weimin look happy, "So, it meets the introduction standards?"

Cheng Wuchun nodded, "We can try to introduce it, but it's difficult to contact this writer! Our domestic royalties are relatively low, so I don't know if he can agree."

Lin Weimin waved his hand and said, "Leave this matter to me. The old man can't bear to be happy anymore. Now the socialist brothers want to give him some royalties. How dare he refuse?"

Since Lin Weimin had taken over everything, Cheng Wuchun agreed.

During this period, apart from being busy with the editorial department, Lin Weimin focused most of his remaining energy on the creation of the English version of "Hunting".

I had just finished writing the manuscript in the past two days, and happened to get Cheng Wuchun's decision to introduce the works of Richard Yates. Lin Weimin immediately called Roger Strauss.

Lin Weimin had just finished talking about the English version of "The Hunt", and Roger Strauss sounded excited: "This is really great. I didn't expect you to finish it so quickly. When can the manuscript be sent out? I will arrange it as soon as possible. publishing."

"I'll mail it to you tomorrow. By the way, there's one more thing I want to ask you for help with..."

Lin Weimin asked Roger Strauss to contact Richard Yates on the phone.

Roger Strauss was very curious when he heard that Lin Weimin said that he planned to introduce the works of Richard Yates to China.

"Why would you want to import his works? His works don't sell well in the United States."

"Mr. Strauss, maybe you can come to China when you have time. There are thousands of young people here who love literature. Just because it is not popular in the United States does not mean that it is the same in China.

Richard Yates is an excellent writer, and it is a blessing for Chinese readers to see his works. "

Roger Strauss had never been to China, so he naturally did not understand the fanaticism and large number of young people who loved literature in his words. However, in order to win over him, let alone contact Richard Yates on his behalf, he asked Now he sends the old man to China, and he can do it.

In order to make it more convincing for Roger Strauss to contact Richard Yates, Lin Weimin wrote a long and passionate letter in English and sent it along with the manuscript of the novel.