Chapter 139 Preface to the French Edition of "Life"

When this book is translated into French by Mr. Zhang Rongfu and published, I would like to take this opportunity to pay my most cordial tribute to French readers and friends.I have always had great admiration for the splendid culture and art of France.The great French literature, whether it is its classical works or modern works, has had a great influence on my literary activities.Therefore, I feel honored and happy when this book is translated into your beautiful language and read by you. China and France are two countries that are far apart and different in every respect, but I believe that the hearts of human beings are all connected.Literature and art are the bridges that connect the hearts of human beings.I hope this book of mine can be used as a small pebble on the "bridge".

As a Chinese youth who had a similar experience to the protagonist in this book, the life described in this book is all deeply felt by me. Originally published in 1982, the novel caused great controversy among Chinese literary critics and readers.In fact, this controversy is still not over.Of course, this kind of controversy took place in China's specific social and cultural background.I can't imagine what you guys think of this work. The story of this book takes place in a special historical period in our country - when the "Gang of Four" has just been destroyed and China's reforms have not yet been carried out on a large scale. In the process of brewing and exploring; various contradictions accumulated over a long period of time are already in the most complicated and profound state in Chinese life.The protagonists of the tragedies are the children of this period in China—their tragedies certainly have obvious social and era characteristics.

But it is also the tragedy of youth.In my opinion, as long as they are young people, no matter what era and country they live in, when they first choose the way of life, it is often not smooth sailing.I myself have come from a bumpy life path.So I fully understand those young people who suffer pain and setbacks but still tenaciously pursue life.I have always watched their lot with great sympathy; even when I grieved for some fault on their part, it was often with a brotherly tolerance. After the novel was published and caused widespread social controversy, I have received thousands of letters from Chinese readers asking me to comment on the merits of the characters in the book.In fact, many problems even I can't explain clearly.I ask myself to try to describe life as truthfully as possible, but it is better to let people comment!