1980 My Literary Era.

Chapter 525 A Book of Fame

In early August, the eighth issue of "Contemporary" was officially launched, and many loyal readers of "Contemporary" bought the latest issue at bookstores and newsstands immediately.

When the publication was in hand, the title of the cover headline "Dust Settled" was extremely conspicuous.

The name Alai gave to his novel has an otherworldly quality, which makes many people feel good about it at first glance.

When they opened the publication, these people immediately noticed that this issue was different.

The font of the "Dust Settled" novel on the cover headline is obviously larger than other works, and it was released 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 that enjoyed special treatment.

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

The material of "Dust Settled" is taken from the folk culture of Tibet, and also borrowed from the narrative style of folk oral literature. It not only has a certain degree of legend and popularity, but also has a high degree of artistry.

Combining the novel's legendary, popular, and artistic qualities, the storyline reads ups and downs, making countless readers moved by the fate of the foolish second young master.

Lin Weimin said to Alai at the time that "Dust Settled" deserves a Yanbing Literature Award, which is not false.

One week after the release of the eighth issue, the editorial department of "Contemporary" began to receive letters from readers one after another. As time went on, more and more letters from readers came.

Half a month later, book reviews about "Dust Settled" began to appear in the newspapers, and all of these reviews gave this novel a very high evaluation without exception.

More and more positive feedback has made the editorial department of "Contemporary", which has been paying attention to the response of this issue, very excited.

Before the publication of "Dust Settled", Alai was a little-known figure in the editorial department of "Contemporary", domestic literary circles, and many readers. Looking through his resume, there are only a handful of novels. "Only one short story "Agu Dunba" was published.

The editors of the editorial department occasionally couldn't remember his name when they talked about Alai, and would refer to him as "Tibetan author from the Southwest".

Now that "Dust Settled" has been published, it has received so many favorable comments and strong responses, it can be said that "a book became famous".

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

In the past few months, "Contemporary" has not published any important works. Lin Weimin was a little anxious when he saw this situation after returning to China. Everyone can understand.

It can take half a month to complete a series of work such as revision, proofreading, typesetting, and printing of a novel, which seems to be a bit eager for quick success.

Due to time constraints, the manuscript of "Dust Settled" was not circulated in the editorial department, and most of the colleagues in the editorial department saw the true face of the novel only after the novel was published.

Everyone is a senior editor who has been working for many years, and has worked in a big journal like "Contemporary". After so many years, they have seen a lot, and many classic works have been published through their hands.

But after watching "Dust Settled", everyone had almost no hesitation and unanimously praised it.

When everyone was discussing "Dust 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, "Dust" The quality of "Luo Ding" is still extremely good.

Everyone is also analyzing, what is the biggest reason for everyone to come to such a conclusion unanimously.

A group of editors, professionalism is beyond doubt, anyone can tell the truth.

Epic temperament, magical color, folk legend...

After discussing for a long time, no one can 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 triumph of poetry and philosophy. You have read all the novels. Over the years, can you find a novel with a similar temperament?"

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

That's right, domestic literary works these years are like rivers of water, mud and sand, it seems that any work can find its source, and it is not advanced if you don't put a label on yourself.

But Allais's "Falling Down" is not the case, he is not any kind of literary variant.

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 thinks that what is most moved when reading is not the poetic and philosophical thinking shown in Alai's novels?

The wise and foolish Second Young Master, let everyone who has read this novel see the Buddha nature in him.

It is precisely because of this Buddha nature that he is invincible and victorious.

"It's still clear for the people!" He Qizhi said in admiration.

If he hadn't fully understood the core of the novel "Dust Settled" and its excellence, Lin Weimin would not rush to push this novel to the front and give it such kind treatment.

When the editorial department of "Contemporary" was discussing the topic of "Dust Settled", other editorial offices in the Guowen Society were also discussing this novel. What everyone felt most deeply this time was that "Contemporary" had found another precious author.

Many people in the agency have heard of Lin Weimin’s rush to launch a major influential work just after returning from abroad. In the past half a year or so, the works published by "Contemporary" have received mediocre response. Lin Weimin will take action as soon as he returns is understandable.

I just didn't expect Lin Weimin to act so fast, and the first issue of the magazine after returning to China would publish such a weighty work as "Dust 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 manuscript.

Someone who has a good relationship with "Contemporary" went to inquire about it. It was a coincidence that this Alai who wrote "Dust Settled" was also the author that Lin Weimin had followed for several years. to the editorial office.

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

Without the nurturing and communication in the past few years, how could there be the birth of "Dust Settled"?Even if it is born, will it be the turn of "Contemporary" to publish it?

Looking back on Lin Weimin's various adventures in drafting manuscripts in his editorial career, anyone who knows a little bit will not think it is a fluke.

When everyone was inquiring, they also heard that Lin Weimin still has several writers who are focusing on him.

If we look at the effects produced by Alai, once the new works of writers that Lin Weimin cares about are born, they will be called terrifying.

After the release of "Dust Settled", the influence was still fermenting. This afternoon, Cheng Zaochun found Lin Weimin's office.

"What do you want from me?"

"The "Dust Settled" was written very well, and your "Contemporary" has discovered another good work!"

As soon as Cheng Zaochun came up, he praised him kindly, and Lin Weimin instinctively raised his vigilance, thinking that there was something wrong with him.

After a few gossips, Cheng Zaochun took out the books by Richard Yates that Lin Weimin had sent to him before.

Lin Weimin excitedly said, "Have you finished watching?"

"Well, several colleagues in the foreign literature editorial office have been working on it for almost half a month."

"What do you think? What's your opinion?" Lin Weimin asked expectantly.

Cheng Zaochun said: "Everyone's evaluation is very good, the standard is quite high, not inferior to the works of those Nobel Prize-winning writers introduced in the society."

Lin Weimin's face was overjoyed by Cheng Zaochun's words, "So, the introduction standard has been met?"

Cheng Zaochun nodded, "You can try to introduce it, but it's hard to contact this writer! Our domestic manuscript fees are relatively low, so I wonder if he can agree."

Lin Weimin waved his hand, "Leave this matter to me. The old man is too happy. Now that the Socialist Brothers want to send him some manuscript fees, how dare he refuse?"

Since Lin Weimin took care of everything, Cheng Zaochun agreed.

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

The manuscript had just been written in the past two days, and it happened that Cheng Zaochun had decided to introduce the works of Richard Yates. Lin Weimin immediately called Roger Strauss.

Just after Lin Weimin finished talking about the English version of "The Hunt", Roger Strauss said excitedly, "This is really great. I didn't expect you to finish it so soon. When will the manuscript be sent out? I will arrange it as soon as possible." publishing."

"I will post it to you tomorrow. By the way, there is one more thing I need to ask for your help..."

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

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

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

"Mr. Strauss, maybe you can come to China if you have time. There are thousands of young people here who love literature. Being unpopular 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 has never been to China, so he naturally does not understand how fanatical and huge the number of young people who love literature are in his mouth, but in order to win him over, let alone contact Richard Yates on his behalf, he just let He is now sending 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 specially wrote a long and passionate letter in English and sent it out together with the novel manuscript.

(End of this chapter)