Shanghai (CNS) -- The 2008 winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Le Clézio, delivered a speech called "Writers in the Metropolis" on his extraordinary perceptions of Chinese literature at the Shanghai Exhibition Hall on the afternoon of August 18.
Speaking of the relationship between people and the city in literature, he mentioned the description of civil life in Lao She's novels Under the Pure Red Flag and Four Generations under One Roof. In the novels, foreign readers were presented with the charisma of the ancient and modern city of Beijing and the civil heroism during wars, and reminded of the passing age.
Literature's huge influence won't change with time or any other disturbance. It is an eternal city for anyone to find traces of certain incidents and sentiments.
Reading Four Generations under One Roof, Le Clézio was impressed by the Chinese family relationship. He could feel a sense of homesickness through the lines, remembering the past when four generations lived under the same roof. Though sometimes there were quarrels, it was joyful and comforting in essence.
A press conference was held one day before the speech. During the meeting, Le Clézio admitted his limited knowledge about contemporary Chinese writers. Lao She and Ba Jin are among the few exceptions.
In his view, Lao She innovated in his writing skills while preserving some conventions. Le Clézio also suggested new hands start with poems, "especially Chinese poems, like those of Du Fu's."
Le Clézio also likes to read translations of Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin. Fascinated with cultures, he even holds the fantasy of becoming Chinese.
"Literature narrows the gap between cultures. It is the bridge for cross-cultural encounters. To read about the life of others eliminates misunderstanding, which is exactly the origin of all wars and human disputes."
