Title: Het rode korenveld
Author: Mo Yan
First published May 1, 1987
376 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9789035113169 (ISBN10: 9035113160)
Rating: 3.79
Overview
In het afgelegen Chinese dorpje waar Het rode korenveld zich afspeelt, is het leven hard. Het is de jaren 30 en de boeren strijden niet alleen tegen de Japanse bezetter, maar ook tegen elkaar.
De eens zo vruchtbare aarde is doordrenkt van bloed en de dieprode korenvelden zijn niet langer het symbool voor leven en geluk. In deze uitzonderlijke familiegeschiedenis volgen we de gebeurtenissen van een onthutsende wreedheid, tegen het decor van een overstelpende pracht.
Het boek is opgebouwd uit verhalen-in-verhalen die verbeelding en geschiedenis samenbrengen tot een onvergelijkbaar en onvergetelijk meesterwerk. Het rode korenveld is een van de overtuigendste romans uit het recente China en heeft al vele belangrijke literaire prijzen gewonnen.
Het is dan ook niet verwonderlijk dat het boek inspiratie was voor de prachtige gelijknamige film die inmiddels een legende is geworden in China.
About the Author
The renowned Chinese author, known in the western world for his famous novel, Red Sorghum (which was later adapted into a movie of the same name), goes by the pen name Mo Yan (莫言), meaning “don’t speak.” His actual name is Guan Moye (管谟业).
Mo Yan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2012 for his unique writing style that blends folk tales, history, and contemporary issues with vivid realism. Some of his noteworthy works, highlighted by the Nobel judges, include “Red Sorghum” (1987), “Big Breasts & Wide Hips” (2004), and “The Garlic Ballads.”
Often compared to the likes of Franz Kafka and Joseph Heller, Mo Yan’s literary contributions continue to captivate readers worldwide.
Editoral Review
Het rode korenveld by Mo Yan is a beautifully written novel that captures the complexities of life in rural China during the Cultural Revolution. Mo Yan, whose name means “don’t speak,” is a renowned Chinese writer who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2012.
This novel, first published in 1987, is a masterpiece of Chinese literature that provides readers with a window into the lives of ordinary people during a tumultuous period in China’s history. The novel is set in a small Chinese village called Fenjiu during the Cultural Revolution, a time when Mao Zedong’s government aimed to purge capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society.
The novel revolves around the story of Shangguan Lu, a peasant woman who becomes pregnant after a brief affair with a married man. The novel follows her journey as she struggles to raise her son in a society that values conformity above all else.
One of the book’s strengths is the richly drawn characters. Mo Yan is a masterful storyteller who creates characters that are both realistic and relatable.
Shangguan Lu is a strong and resilient character who embodies the struggles of many rural Chinese women during the Cultural Revolution. The other characters in the novel are also well-developed and add depth to the story.
The novel’s themes of conformity, femininity, and class struggle are also well-executed. Mo Yan provides readers with a nuanced perspective on these themes that avoids simplistic political messaging.
The book also provides a historical context that helps readers understand the social and political forces that shaped China during this period. Despite its many strengths, the novel also has some limitations.
The plot is at times slow-moving, and some of the characters feel underdeveloped. Additionally, the book’s translation from Chinese to English is at times clunky and awkward.
Overall, Het rode korenveld is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that provides readers with a unique perspective on life in rural China during the Cultural Revolution. The book is a must-read for fans of Chinese literature or anyone interested in understanding the complexities of life in China.
However, readers should be aware of its slower pace and occasional translation issues. Rating: 4/5 stars
