Red Moscow

Two days later in the afternoon, Sokov was writing a book at home when he suddenly heard a knock on the door. He thought it was Asiya coming home early, so he put down his pen and walked to the door, opened it, and asked: "Asiya Ya, did you forget to bring your key?"

Unexpectedly, he heard a familiar voice: "Comrade General, I am not Asiya, I am Werner."

Sokov took a closer look, but no, the person standing at the door was screenwriter Werner, whom he hadn't seen for a long time. His attitude immediately became enthusiastic: "It turns out to be a comrade screenwriter. I haven't seen you for a long time. Please come in quickly." .”

After Werner entered the door, he took off his coat and said with emotion: "Comrade General, your home is really warm. You know, I was almost frozen on the street just now."

Sokov first helped Werner hang his coat on the hanger, then poured him a cup of hot tea and placed it in front of him: "Comrade screenwriter, please drink a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up."

Werner held up the teacup and tried to use the temperature of the teacup to warm his hands quickly. He stared at the manuscript on the table and asked curiously: "Comrade General, are you writing a new novel?"

"Yes, comrade screenwriter." Sokov flipped through the manuscript on the table, found the beginning of the new book, and handed it to Werner: "This is the new book I wrote. Take a look at it first to see if there is anything worth revising. The place."

Werner put down the teacup in his hand, rubbed his hands, took the manuscript from Sokov's hand, glanced at the title, and read out involuntarily: "The Ordinary Soldier."

"Yes, the name of this new book is called "Ordinary Soldier,"" Sokov explained to Werner in advance before he started reading: "The protagonist in the book is the famous combat hero Matlosov. The story is about how he used his own body to block the bullets fired by the enemy from the bunker in order to ensure victory in the battle, and finally sacrificed his life heroically."

"In fact, since the outbreak of the war, there have been endless books on this subject." Werner did not open the manuscript immediately, but looked at Sokov and said: "Everyone has been reading for so many years, and there will be some aesthetic fatigue. Don't you Are you worried that no one will read the book you write?”

After hearing this, Sokov laughed twice, and then said: "Comrade screenwriter, before I wrote the book "The Dawns Here Are Quiet", everyone also questioned it. But now people who have read the book no longer I doubt my book will become a bestseller if it is published."

"I do not deny this. Your book "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" will become a classic." Werner said: "It is precisely because the first book you wrote has become a classic, so you are choosing You need to be very careful when choosing the subject matter. If the new book you write is not popular with readers, it may have a negative impact on your reputation."

"But I have no reputation at all." Sokov said helplessly: "I chose other themes, but I couldn't write them. I could only rewrite this extremely common theme."

"What, Comrade General, what did you say?" Werner said in surprise: "In addition to this book, have you written other books?"

"That's right."

"Can you let me take a look?"

Sokov has written 100,000 words of "The Siege". Although he can no longer write it now, he still keeps it properly and will take it out to write the rest when he can write it. At this moment, Werner said that he wanted to take a look, so he got up and walked into the bedroom, opened the closet, took out the manuscript from the secret drawer inside, and handed it to Werner.

Looking at the thick stack of manuscripts in Sokov's hand, Werner asked in surprise: "Comrade General, is this another book you wrote?"

"Yes, comrade screenwriter." Sokov nodded and said, "If you are interested, you can take a look."

"Of course, of course I am interested." Werner said: "I am very curious about what is written in your forbidden novel."

While Werner was reading the manuscript, Sokov continued writing "The Ordinary Soldier" because he knew very well that no matter how fast Werner read, it would take at least an hour to read the 100,000-word novel. above.

It took Werner almost two hours to read the first few chapters of "The Siege" written by Sokov. When he put down the manuscript, he asked with surprise: "Comrade General, I think this book is quite good. Why can't I continue writing it?"

"Because someone has already told me that the important people mentioned in the book are still alive. If I write this book, they may have some opinions on my description, which may cause some trouble for me. Necessary trouble." Sokov said: "So the best choice is not to write for the time being and continue writing when the time is right."

"Who is it, who is saying hello to you, Comrade General." Werner heard what Sokov said and asked dissatisfiedly: "Don't he know that this is an excellent work? If it can be published, it will definitely be published. Become a classic.”

Sokov smiled bitterly, and then said slowly: "It's the Supreme Commander himself."

After hearing this, Victor was shocked: "What, is it the Supreme Commander himself who asked you not to write this book for the time being?"

"Yes, it is indeed so."

Sokov remembers clearly that The Siege was published in 1975 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, and in 1978 the book won the Soviet Union's highest literary award, the "Lenin Prize."

The reason why this novel was praised by all walks of life and quickly became a bestseller is because of its unique background. In the 1960s, relevant leaders vigorously called for literary and artistic works to contain "patriotic themes." Military leaders personally appeared to promote mobilization, and in 1964 organized a meeting between Soviet military leaders and people from the literary and artistic circles.

The then Minister of Defense Malinovsky and Director of General Affairs Yepishev pointed out that artistic creation “should pay special attention to reflecting the combat exploits and the combat history of the armed forces.” “The themes of heroism and patriotism are so urgent and important. It should be reflected more vividly, convincingly and effectively in books and songs, in movies and paintings.”

In 1970, Marshal Konev, Marshal Chuikov and many other senior commanders jointly issued an appeal in the "Izvestia" newspaper, explicitly requesting that literary and artistic works write about the Great Patriotic War. After this, the Soviet Writers' Association, the Film Association and other associations held a joint meeting to discuss the issue of creating works with the theme of "military patriotism"; relevant parties and the Russian Federation Writers' Association jointly held a "Military Patriotism Literature Conference", and the Writers' Association responded to Kone In response to the call of husband and others, a meeting of the chairpersons of the Military Literature Committee of the Writers' Associations of the Union Republics, Moscow and Leningrad was convened to carry out mobilization and organization. They set up prizes and medals for military literary works; organized writers to visit border areas such as Central Asia and the Far East; visited Soviet troops stationed in Eastern European countries; and published a large number of collections of essays and songs to promote "military patriotism." It was under such vigorous publicity and organization that a large number of military-themed works appeared.

A large number of war novels appeared in the 1960s and 1970s, all trying to reproduce the historical picture of the Great Patriotic War from all aspects. The longer they were written, the more characters they wrote, and the larger the scenes. Critics gave this type of works a new Title: "Panorama Literature". This is another "new wave" of war literature following the "new wave" that appeared in the Soviet literary world in the second half of the 1950s, marked by writing about "trenched reality." The novel "The Siege" was written under such historical conditions and became a representative work of "panoramic literature" in the 1960s and 1970s.

Although the book "The Siege" became a classic in the late 1970s and won the highest literary award, the "Lenin Prize", it could not be published in 1945 because the book involved Stalin, Zhdanov, Voroshilov, Zhukov and others have not yet received a relatively fair review. If their descriptions appear hastily in the book, it may cause many hidden contradictions and bring unnecessary trouble to themselves.

"It's a pity, it's such a pity." When he found out who prohibited Sokov from continuing to write, Werner said regretfully: "This is such a good book. It would be a pity if I couldn't write it."

"There is no other way. Since the higher-ups are not allowed to write it, I will not write it for the time being." Sokov said magnanimously: "I will put this book here first. If one day the higher-ups agree that I can continue writing, I will Then write out the following chapters.”

"General Sokov, let's make an agreement first." After learning that Sokov had not given up and just planned to continue writing this book when the time is right, Werner became happy again: "Once you continue to write this book, This book, remember to notify me, I want to be your first reader."

"No problem, no problem." To Werner's request, Sokov naturally agreed very readily: "As soon as I start writing again, I will definitely inform you."

"By the way, Comrade General, there is something I almost forgot." Werner stood up as he spoke, went to the coat rack at the door, took out a book from the coat pocket hanging on it, and then left. He came back and said to Sokov: "It was Xie Keluo who asked me to come over and give you a sample book."

"Sample book, what kind of book?" Sokov was stunned for a moment, then thought of a possibility and asked quickly: "Is it a sample book of "The Dawns Here Are Quiet"?"

"Yes, Comrade General, it is indeed a sample booklet of "The Dawns Here Are Quiet". Take a look and see if you are satisfied with the layout and design."

Sokov took the book from Werner and began to browse the cover carefully.

The pattern on the cover was drawn using a sketch technique. On the right side of the cover is a female soldier holding a Mosin-Nagant rifle. Behind her is a dense birch forest. The title of the book is written in bold letters in the left margin. The Dawns Here Are Quiet", with the author's full name written in small letters below, as well as the name of the publisher.

To be honest, Sokov was not satisfied with the book covers of this era. Compared with the data of later generations, they were simply too crude. Although Werner said that when he handed the book to him, he asked for his opinion on the cover, but the book will be officially put on sale in the bookstore tomorrow. No matter how many opinions he gives, thank you. Corot probably won't make any changes either.

It was out of this consideration that Sokov said sincerely: "Yes, yes, this cover design is really great."

"Tomorrow your book will be on sale in the bookstore." Werner asked curiously: "What do you think the sales volume will be on the first day?"

Werner's words stopped Sokov and asked him how he knew the sales of best-sellers in this era. He could only smile bitterly and asked: "Comrade screenwriter, what do you think?"

Werner thought for a while, then stretched out three fingers and said, "I think the sales volume on the first day should be at least 3,000 copies."

Hearing the numbers Werner mentioned, Sokov couldn't help but widen his eyes: "What, just such a small amount?" According to his idea, a future best-seller like "The Dawns Here Are Quiet", even if the sales are poor, , it must have sold 30,000 or 40,000 copies on the first day, but Werner told himself that there were only 3,000 copies.

Seeing that Sokov was not satisfied with the sales volume, Victor immediately misunderstood what he meant and quickly explained: "Comrade General, everyone who has read your book said it is good, but after all, the readers are limited, and you It’s another newcomer, and it’s pretty good to have a sales volume of 3,000 on the first day. Besides, the product is currently only distributed in Moscow. If the sales are good, it will be promoted in Leningrad, Kiev, Minsk and other cities. "

"Comrade screenwriter, there is one more thing. Editor-in-chief Xie Keluo has never given me an answer."

"whats the matter?"

"What is the proportion of my royalties and royalties?"

"Well, Xie Keluo didn't tell me." Werner assured Sokov: "I will go see Xie Keluo later and ask you about this matter. Don't worry, with the content of your book level, you can get at least a 12% share ratio.”

Maybe he was worried that Sokov had any bad thoughts. After Werner finished saying this, before Sokov could ask again, he took the initiative and said: "Usually newcomers choose royalty sharing, and the proportion they get is usually 5%~ Between 8% and 12% like yours, it’s already considered a special case.”

Sokov felt that Werner must not have told lies to him. The publisher could give him a 12% share, which must have been due to his special status, so he took special care of him.

Putting aside the matter of royalties for the time being, Sokov asked about the adaptation: "Comrade screenwriter, when do you think this book can be adapted into a play and movie?"

"Comrade General, I was just about to discuss this issue with you, but I didn't expect you to speak out first."

Sokov was secretly happy and made a gesture of invitation to the other party: "Comrade screenwriter, please tell me what you think."

"When we were still in Vladimir, I said that your book can be adapted into a play, opera, or even put on the movie screen." Werner said: "I have been busy adapting plays during this time. We have already selected a suitable cooperative drama troupe. We will officially start rehearsals after your book is published and you gain a good reputation. At that time, I will also invite you to on-site guidance. I hope you can appreciate it. .”

"No problem, no problem." Sokov was also worried that when adapting the play, his book would be changed beyond recognition, but he still felt that it would be safer to go to the scene to observe it in person, so he replied very readily: "The play will be rehearsed then. If you let me know when the time comes, I will definitely rush over to support you."

The two chatted for a while, and Werner stood up and said to Sokov: "Comrade General, it's getting late, so I won't disturb you. We'll see you later!"

Sokov held the other person's outstretched hand: "See you later!"