Then Lin Jinlan talked about Lin Chaoyang's new book and asked him: "Chaoyang, how could you write such a story?"

Before Lin Chaoyang could answer, Li Tuo answered first.

"Old Lin, you don't care about Chaoyang when I see you. Didn't he say it during the interview when he came back to do autograph signings before? He was inspired by that Hong Kong movie star Xu Guanwen."

Lin Jinlan replied: "The report only has 1,800 words. What can it explain? Only by talking face to face can we talk thoroughly. "The Truman Show" is quite controversial this time, so of course I have to understand Chaoyang's thoughts."

It has been one and a half months since "The Truman Show" was released in the mainland. Thanks to the reputation accumulated by Lin Chaoyang over the years and the vigorous promotion of Huacheng Publishing House, sales have been soaring since its release.

The sales volume exceeded 200,000 copies in one week, and the sales volume in the first month reached 500,000 copies, maintaining the consistently high sales volume since the publication of Lin Chaoyang's works.

However, with the high sales of the novel, the reputation of the novel is not as outstanding as Lin Chaoyang's previous works, and it can even be said to be a mixed bag of praise and praise.

Talking about the reputation issue of "The Truman Show", Li Tuo said: "I think it actually has nothing to do with the novel."

Lin Jinlan asked: "What does that have to do with?"

"If I'm to blame, it's Chaoyang's last novel, "The Journey to Guandong," which was so well written. "The Truman Show" is not bad, but readers' expectations for Chaoyang and this novel were too high.

Even if "The Truman Show" is at the same level as "The Legend of Guandong", it may still be a step back in the eyes of readers.

Because readers have become accustomed to Chaoyang’s works bringing them surprises.”

Li Tuo's words made everyone present couldn't help but nod their heads, and he continued:

"I think another issue is the style. The content of "The Truman Show" is still too novel for many domestic readers.

Even when I first read the novel, I couldn't accept the format of this reality show.

I also specifically asked people about it. Western countries do have reality shows, but the reality show shown to us by Chaoyang has gone beyond the general reality show. I prefer to call it a world-wide reality show.

A dramatic experiment in which they all participated.

For domestic readers who are accustomed to realist themes, in order to fully understand the ideological connotation behind this novel, the first thing to do is to change their thinking mode."

Li Tuo's words triggered Zheng Wanlong's retort, "You are wrong to say that. Readers are qualified to judge whether a novel is good or not. Reading a novel requires readers to change their thinking. That is not a writer, that is a teacher."

Several people debated for a while, each holding his own opinion. Zheng Wanlong said bluntly to Lin Chaoyang: "Chaoyang, I think your novel has failed!"

Being criticized by him in person, Lin Chaoyang's expression remained as usual.

Li Tuo said dissatisfied: "What you said is too arbitrary! You can't just say it's a failure because you think it's not good, and I still think it's good."

Lin Chaoyang waved his hand, "Okay, okay. It's just a discussion. Why are you two so excited?"

He didn't mind Zheng Wanlong's criticism. Criticism in person and praise behind his back were both behaviors that should be cherished.

Zheng Wanlong said with a serious face: "Chaoyang, regarding the novel "The Truman Show", I think there is a saying in "Literary Review" that is right: it is divorced from the reality of China and makes the common people confused and unclear.

, like a castle in the air.”

Li Tuo couldn't help but retort after hearing this, "The article in "Shanghai Literature" also said that "The Truman Show" is a classic of absurd novels!"

After knowing each other for so many years, it is normal for us to have quarrels when we have different views on something or a certain work.

The two of them were talking tit-for-tat, and Lin Chaoyang interrupted and said, "You two should also let others speak!"

The two of them stopped talking, and Lin Chaoyang asked the others, "If you have any opinions, you might as well tell them."

His attitude was gentle from beginning to end, but now Li Tuo and Zheng Wanlong had just finished their quarrel, and everyone was embarrassed to speak.

When Lin Chaoyang saw this, he named someone, "How about Yu Hua come and talk about it?"

Yu Hua originally came to Yanjing to revise the manuscript, but he was called here by Li Tuo today. Unexpectedly, Lin Chaoyang still remembered him.

He is the youngest among the writers today, and he is also the least famous and has the least qualifications. He has never thought of speaking.

Being called upon by Lin Chaoyang, he was filled with nervousness and his face was hot. It took him a while before his brain came to his senses.

"I think "The Truman Show" is very well written. Some people feel that the novel is not grounded, or that it is difficult to imagine the content depicted in the novel. I think these are minor problems.

We might as well leave this to time. Anyway, I think "The Truman Show" is a good work that can stand the test of time.

I also believe that the core of the thoughts he wants to express are worthy of people reading and thinking over and over again."

After saying these words, Yu Hua seemed to have put down a heavy burden and let out a sigh of relief.

Regardless of whether the words are good or bad, at least I didn't embarrass myself in front of so many senior colleagues.

He showed his unreserved appreciation and love for "The Truman Show", which made Li Tuo feel proud, "Hey~ Yu Hua still has a vision!"

Yu Hua waved his hands quickly, with a bit of embarrassment on his face.

After he finished speaking, several other people present expressed their opinions one after another.

Overall, the reviews of "The Truman Show" are more positive than negative.

We are all peers, and we all understand what Lin Chaoyang wants to express in the novel.

The mixture of biting satire and bitter humor in "The Truman Show" is not something that ordinary people can write.

What's more important is that Lin Chaoyang interweaves realistic factors with unrealistic illusory factors to complete the creation in a realistic way.

Although it seems a bit absurd and false, it brings the theme and connotation of the novel to a very high level.

Lin Jinlan finally concluded: "This novel of yours is a bit too highbrow!"

After hearing this evaluation, everyone felt that it was very pertinent.

Li Tuo asked Lin Chaoyang, "Chaoyang, everyone has said so much, please tell me what you thought when you wrote it? How do you evaluate your novel?"

Lin Chaoyang pondered and said: "Actually, what everyone said is quite good. Whether they praise or criticize, they all have their own reasons. If you ask me what I thought at the time, it was actually nothing. I just wanted to write such a story.

Some people think that it is far behind the current life and reality of our people, so we might as well wait a few years and see."

You might as well wait a few years and see!

If he didn't have great confidence in his work, Lin Chaoyang would never have said such a thing.

Everyone present could also understand his mentality. There was no problem with the content and quality of "The Truman Show", but it was only the innovation in form that triggered these debates.

Everyone also admits that "The Truman Show" has achieved quite high achievements in terms of ideology and artistry, which cannot be obliterated in any case.

"That's a good sentence! You might as well wait a few years and read it again. I'll write a review tomorrow and use this as the title." Li Tuo said happily.

"Then you have to pay royalties. With Chaoyang's current royalty standards, this sentence costs a few hundred yuan, right?" Lin Jinlan said humorously.

Everyone burst into laughter immediately.

After a while, Lin Jinlan saw that it was already noon and started to cook.

In the past six months, the West Courtyard in Xiaoliubukou has become a favorite place for Yanjing writers and many foreign writers who come to Beijing to revise manuscripts, hold meetings, and travel on business.

The place here is large and the conditions are good. You can live here when you come, and you can also make your own food. Writers often hang out here, and Chang'an Street and Tiananmen are just outside. It is like a paradise.

During the meal, Lin Chaoyang chatted with Yu Hua for a few words. Yu Hua asked, "Is Teacher Tao at home today?"

"Here you are, I'll take you there later."

Yu Hua was discovered by Tao Yushu when he was the editor of "Yanjing Literature". I came to Lin Chaoyang's house today, so of course I had to pay him a visit.

After eating, he followed Lin Chaoyang to the east courtyard. It happened that Tao Yushu was also walking in the courtyard after eating. She was very happy to see Yu Hua.

"Oh, when did Yu Hua come to Yanjing?"

"Teacher Tao!" Yu Hua greeted her first, and then said: "I came here last week and submitted a manuscript to "Yanjing Literature". The editor said it was good and asked me to revise it."

Tao Yushu asked about the specific content of the novel. Although she was no longer the editor, she was the one who discovered Yu Hua after all.

Yu Hua briefly described the content of the novel. The novel is called "Going Away at the Age of Eighteen". It tells the story of an eighteen-year-old "me" who desperately wants to enter society, go out for a long trip, and hitchhike, just like Kerouac.

As written in "On the Road".

But the car broke down halfway, and someone started grabbing apples. "I" went to see the righteous man but was injured, but the real owner of the apple, the driver, remained indifferent and even took away "my" luggage in the end.

At the end of the novel, Yu Hua treats it as a circular structure, which is a dialogue between "I" and my father.

"You are eighteen, it's time to get to know the outside world." Suddenly, the indifference and absurdity in front of me were put aside, and the feeling of sunshine was bright again.

After listening to Yu Hua tell the whole story, Tao Yushu nodded in approval.

“Yes, this structure is very innovative, and we have made great progress over the past year.

This time I asked you to come to Yanjing to revise the manuscript, which means that the editorial department is optimistic about your work, and it may become famous after it is published."

Yu Hua looked shy, "I'm still far away."

"Hey! Don't belittle yourself."

As time goes by, the discussion about "The Truman Show" among domestic literary circles and readership groups has become more and more intense.

Before Lin Chaoyang was in Xiangjiang, he could not feel this kind of public opinion atmosphere. After he came back, whether it was his friends or newspapers and magazines, this novel was inevitably discussed.

Who told him that this was Lin Chaoyang’s new work?

Someone else has written a controversial work, and if everyone takes a look at it, one or two back-and-forth debates will be over.

But Lin Chaoyang is different. He is the most influential writer among the younger generation in China, and he is also the most popular writer. He is the writer who wrote a classic work such as "Crossing the Guandong" that can be passed down to future generations.

The literary world is looking forward to it and readers are admiring it. How could everyone not discuss his work when it comes out?

Even when it received rave reviews, there were endless discussions, not to mention that there are still quite a few controversies in new works now.

Only two months after the publication of "The Truman Show", articles about this novel appeared in dozens of domestic literary magazines, large and small, and literary review magazines.
To be continued...