Chapter 932: Realistic Literary Masterpiece
Throughout October, the topic of Lin Weimin and the Nobel Prize in Literature remained hot in China, and the feedback from media in many overseas countries was also very enthusiastic.
Everyone is paying attention not only because the winner is a Chinese writer, but also because the winner is Lin Weimin.
Unlike many writers whose works fell into disrepute before winning the Nobel Prize, Lin Weimin's works have been selling well at home and abroad for more than a decade. He has tens of millions of readers and fans around the world, and the influence of the adaptations of his works covers an even wider audience group.
This has led to the fact that the momentum of Lin Weimin's award this time far exceeds that of any other award won by an ordinary writer. The media's praise, the industry's recognition, and the readers' support, all these voices have come together like a hot golden torrent. Once this wave of public opinion cools down, they will create a golden statue for Lin Weimin and deify him.
In addition to the noisy media and public opinion, the most direct response to Lin Weimin's winning of the Nobel Prize in Literature is that his previous works have become popular again.
Although Lin Weimin's works have always been classified as bestsellers, even the works published more than ten years ago have good sales every year, and are constantly reprinted and reprinted, with sales remaining strong all year round, the huge blessing of the Nobel Prize in Literature cannot be underestimated.
As early as when he first won the award, Guowen Publishing House contacted bookstores across the country and urgently added festive waistbands to all of Lin Weimin's works.
Readers who frequently purchase books will immediately understand, upon seeing this symbolic logo, that the work must have recently won an award.
But in fact, there is no need for publishers and readers to remind them. Since the day the award was announced, Lin Weimin's works have been welcomed by readers in bookstores across the country. Some works that were originally reprinted only once every six months or a year were sold out by readers in just a few days, and some originally popular works were quickly sold out by readers.
The direct result of the rise of this book-buying trend is that in the latest issue of the Guowen Daily book sales ranking, fifteen of the top twenty positions are firmly occupied by Lin Weimin's works.
The top spot on the list naturally goes to the first part of "Li Jianguo" which was recently published last year. Other popular works in Lin Weimin's series, such as "Farewell My Concubine", "The Horse Catcher", "The Ming Dynasty 1566" and "God Bless America", also have excellent sales.
According to statistics from the Guowen Group, in just half a month after winning the award, Lin Weimin's works sold nearly 6 million more copies than usual. Many small and medium-sized publishing houses may not have so many book sales in a year.
This is not only the case in bookstores in China, but also in bookstores abroad.
Although Lin Weimin is famous worldwide, he cannot be compared with Hollywood stars. The wave of public opinion surrounding the Nobel Prize in Literature made him a hot topic worldwide for at least several days, which quickly expanded Lin Weimin's fame around the world and made many readers who did not know him before recognize this Nobel Prize in Literature winner from China.
Countless readers who flocked to bookstores contributed to the sales of Lin Weimin's works abroad, making the publishers who cooperated with Lin Weimin earn a lot of money.
With so much small change, who wouldn’t like to win a prize?
The noisy October has passed, and the outside world's attention to Lin Weimin has decreased a lot. No matter how well-known the Nobel Prize in Literature is, the news heat will eventually fade.
At this time, people finally noticed the second part of "Li Jianguo", which had been published for a month.
Last March, the first part of "Li Jianguo" was published in "Contemporary", which quickly attracted great attention in the domestic literary, intellectual and political circles.
This long novel with profound cultural background has deep humanistic depth. It depicts the joys and sorrows of independent individuals in the context of the great era, and highly integrates the development of the individual with history. It has touched countless readers and has been widely praised by critics.
Not only that, the novel was also highly praised and promoted by the government because it showed the Chinese people's tenacity and self-improvement.
Now, after a year and a half, the second part of "Li Jianguo" was launched grandly, but it happened to coincide with the wave of public opinion about the Nobel Prize in Literature. The public opinion that should have exploded long ago was forced to explode after November.
However, there are also advantages to a late breakthrough. With the blessing of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Lin Weimin's reputation in the domestic literary world is unparalleled in the world.
The second part of "Li Jianguo" comes with such a magnificent momentum, like the arrival of a king, invincible.
The 10th issue of "Contemporary" which published the second part of "Li Jianguo" sold 5.2 million copies in more than 20 days, setting a sales record for "Contemporary" since its founding. This number is not only unprecedented, but it is also unlikely to be surpassed in the future.
After all, even if Lin Weimin writes new works in the future, he will not have the public support of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Corresponding to the sales volume is the incredible word-of-mouth effect of the second part of "Li Jianguo" among the readers.
Before the novel was published, editors, critics, and even many readers were worried that according to the story and timeline of the first part of "Li Jianguo", the second part would inevitably deviate from the real timeline. If not handled properly, the wonderful story created in the first part could easily be ruined.
But what everyone was worried about did not happen. The story of the second part of "Li Jianguo" is consistent with the first part. Whether it is the writing style, the direction of the story or the inherent ideological context and spiritual core, the two works have achieved a high degree of unity.
The future timeline involved in the deduction of reality in the second part is also handled reasonably, without any sense of disharmony or unacceptable logical loopholes that make readers feel uncomfortable. Everything is as if Lin Weimin had experienced it personally, which is so real that it is hard to believe.
In creating the second part of "Li Jianguo", Lin Weimin took a huge risk. If he failed, it would easily destroy the good reputation accumulated in the first part, and vice versa.
Whether it is the creation of characters and external environment, plot setting, or ideological connotation, the second part of "Li Jianguo" has reached the height that a classic novel should have.
What is even more commendable is that now the entire "Li Jianguo" has finally been presented to the public in its complete form, truly showing the full features of this magnificent and magnificent national epic.
One of the sources of the great charm of "Li Jianguo" is the full, vivid and typical artistic image it creates.
In addition, when critics and readers look back at the content of the entire novel after reading it, it is not difficult to find that the overall artistic tone of "Li Jianguo" is solemn and tragic. Although there are times of joy and relief in the reading process, they can't help but often sigh at the unpredictable life and destiny and the vicissitudes and cruelty of the historical trend, which brings readers a moving and heavy aesthetic feeling.
But this is real life and destiny, it is extremely rich, complex and elusive.
The whole novel may even seem a bit quaint and crude, but it also reveals the style of a great work, because it truly restores the most essential reality of life, which not only reveals the ugliness of life itself, but also makes life richer and more charming than itself.
This is the power of reality and life, and it is also the power that a true masterpiece of realistic literature must possess.
The busy month of October has passed, and just as expected, Lin Weimin was either giving interviews/attending events or on his way to give interviews/attend events. He not only had to deal with domestic reporters and media, but also those from abroad.
Especially foreign journalists and media. Now the leaders above regard him as China's business card to the outside world. For the sake of the overall situation, Lin Weimin cannot let down his guard.
With the arrival of the new November, the sensation brought by the Nobel Prize in Literature at home and abroad is slowly fading, and the news media's attention to Lin Weimin is also decreasing. He finally has a chance to catch his breath.
But this does not mean that he can rest. Lin Weimin's daily schedule is still fully scheduled, but it is not as tight as before.
That day, after he was invited to attend an intellectual property forum jointly organized by the government and the United Nations, he received a call saying that an acquaintance from the National Academy of Arts wanted to visit him.
In the evening, Lin Weimin's home welcomed two guests. They were Gu Jianzhi, the deputy director of the Institute of Literature and Art when Lin Weimin was studying there, and Tang Yuqiu, his teacher.
Lin Weimin warmly welcomed the two into his home, "Dean Gu, Teacher Tang, please come in!"
The Institute of Literature became the National Academy of Literature in 1984. Gu Jianzhi was neglected for several years, but in 1991 he became the vice president of the academy again. However, Tang Yuqiu did not change much.
Meeting old friends, Gu Jianzhi and Tang Yuqiu were very happy with Lin Weimin's enthusiastic attitude, and they first came up to congratulate Lin Weimin.
After exchanging pleasantries, the two explained their purpose.
It turned out that the two of them came today to invite Lin Weimin to return to the National College of Literature when he has time to give lectures to this year's students.
"You just won the Nobel Prize, and we know you're busy. It depends on your convenience. As long as you can go, you can talk about anything.
The students nowadays are considered the younger generation in the literary world. When you give lectures to them, you are not only imparting knowledge and experience to them, but also letting them see a role model. They will surely strive to move forward and strive to be the best in their future writing careers.”
The main speaker today was Gu Jianzhi, who had a very humble attitude. Today's Lin Weimin is no longer the lawless devil that he used to be in the Institute of Cultural Research.
Whether in terms of his own artistic achievements or his current position, he is an influential figure in the Chinese literary world. Even though they were an acquaintance from his early years, Gu Jianzhi did not dare to act as an acquaintance and make demands on Lin Weimin.
Lin Weimin pondered for a moment and said, "I'm afraid I can't do it recently. My schedule is full. After the awards ceremony, I will take a day to meet with my juniors. The time is too short, so let's just exchange experiences."
Lin Weimin's tone was humble, but he did not give a specific time. He really was not free during this period and could only find a day to do it.
Gu Jianzhi also understood his current situation and didn't think it was a big deal. Instead, he said happily, "Okay, okay, it's good that you can go. You are the pride of our Institute of Literature and Art, it's a good opportunity to let those young people see you!"
When he said this, his tone unconsciously carried a hint of pride.
When Lin Weimin heard the words "Cultural Research Institute", his mind flashed with memories of his youth.
It seemed very far away, yet it seemed like it happened just yesterday. A warm smile appeared on his face.
(End of this chapter)
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