1980 My literary era

In fact, the Dramatists Association is not the only one suffering from this wave of publicity for "Red Sorghum."

Some time ago, many pro-Western media and people in the cultural circle criticized Lin Weimin because of the criticism of "Burning" on American society and the impact of the Zhuozhou Conference.

The most common argument is that Lin Weimin is holding the Western dish to cook the country's rice bowl, but he is doing the flip-flopping thing.

This group of people is definitely not a minority in the country. On the contrary, the number is quite large. When they scold people, the crowd will naturally become angry. Just looking at various newspapers and magazines, I really feel that Lin Weimin has become a street rat.

However, as the influence of the award-winning "Red Sorghum" continued to grow, many news about Lin Weimin appeared in the newspapers, which confused this group of people.

"Red Sorghum" was obviously directed by Zhang Yimou. You, Lin Weimin, are the screenwriter. Why are you everywhere?

The most irritating thing is the awards that were exposed in the newspapers. How could you, Lin Weimin, win these awards?

This group of people couldn't figure out why someone like Lin Weimin, who was holding a bowl and scolding his mother, could be treated well by Westerners?

Everyone didn’t understand it at first, thinking that the judges and artists from Western countries must be blind.

Later, someone stood up and promoted the benefits of freedom and freedom.

If you look closely, Lin Weimin's character is indeed not that good, but he still has talent.

Western countries will not be hostile to you because of your inclinations and attitudes. Instead, they will cherish your talents and hold you high.

Yes, the logic is self-consistent!

Every time Lin Weimin saw this kind of article in the newspaper, he could only shake his head helplessly. The two works that I won the award for praised Gallic Chicken and American Man.

However, Lin Weimin did not take this matter to heart.

This group of literati were all good talkers, and their influence on him was not even remotely close.

I originally planned to let this matter pass slowly in a low-key manner, but sometimes reality always goes against people's will.

On this day, Lin Weimin received an overseas phone call from the United States.

The just past 1987 National Book Critics Circle Awards announced this year's winners. Lin Weimin's "Burning" defeated the strong opponent of Philip Roth's "Counter Life" and was named the best novel of the year by the Book Critics Association.

Qiao Sen, who brought the good news to Lin Weimin, was a little excited, "Lin, do you know the value of this award? This is one of the three major literary awards in the United States."

"Really!" Lin Weimin's tone was casual. He had heard of the Pulitzer Prize, but had never heard of the National Book Critics Circle Award.

Qiao Sen heard Lin Weimin's attitude and explained: "You don't know. The Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award are one of the three most mainstream awards in our American literary world. The Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award The awards are only awarded to U.S. citizens, even if your work is first published or published in the United States. There is only the National Book Critics Circle Award, which has looser requirements, as long as the work is first published in the United States."

"The National Book Critics Circle is a professional organization composed of more than 1,000 senior book editors across the United States. The final candidates and winners are selected by the organization's 24-member committee. To some extent, its award results are better than those of Puli The authority of the decision is higher because all reviewers are the best editors in the industry.

E.L. Doctorow's "The Age of Ragtime" and John Updike's "Rabbit Is Rich" are among the best novels ever rated by the National Book Critics Circle. "

Lin Weimin has not read "Ragtime Age", but he has read John Updike's "Rabbit Gets Rich". That novel happened to be among the pile of books that Lin Weimin brought back from the United States. At that time, Lin Weimin was still I remember that when he bought this novel, the bookstore owner said that this novel swept the three major American literary awards.

With Qiao Sen's explanation and recalling the process of buying the book, Lin Weimin understood the value of the National Book Critics Circle Award.

"Qiao Sen, thank you so much this time! And your company!" Lin Weimin said.

Lin Weimin knew very well that without the operation of a publishing company, it would be almost impossible for a foreign writer like him to win a literary award such as the National Book Critics Circle Award.

The United States publishes tens of thousands of novels every year, and even its own people can’t choose. How could they choose a foreigner’s work, even if it is published in the United States, even if your novel is well written, even if you have previously Already has some reputation.

What's more, the content of this novel has a negative attitude towards the operation of American capitalist society. A key factor in winning the award is the rise of ZY ideas in Western countries in the past few years.

The proliferation of ZY ideology in the 1960s and 1970s had a huge impact on the entire world, and the United States was no exception.

Although various crises occurred in socialist countries in the 1980s, ZY ideas were greatly impacted, and the world was swept by ZY ideas.

However, the criticism committee of the National Book Critics Association is deeply influenced by ZY thoughts. Therefore, in their eyes, the book "Burning" not only does not smear the United States, but actually warns the United States to some extent. The people are like Dickens in Britain and Mark Twain in America.

It was precisely for this reason that Random House originally took a liking to "Burning".

"Haha, Lin, our company will soon reprint "Burning", and the printing volume this time will be 500,000 copies. Not only "Burning", but also several of your other works, the printing volume will be increased accordingly."

Although the National Book Critics Circle Award is not as prestigious abroad as the Pulitzer Prize, it is still very popular in the United States. Now that Lin Weimin has won the Writer of the Year Novel Award, his reputation has reached a higher level, and his works will naturally sell well, especially "Burning" is an award-winning film.

It has been more than half a year since its publication last year, but it has sold less than 200,000 copies. Random House plans to rely on this wave to make some money.

The purpose of Qiao Sen's call to Lin Weimin was not only to tell him the good news, but also to invite Lin Weimin to fly to the United States.

Random House plans to hold several book signings for Lin Weimin, and also accept interviews from the media to promote Lin Weimin and the novel.

"Qiao Sen, I'm so sorry. As you know, I'm quite busy at work and have a lot of things on my hands. It's a bit unrealistic to take time off to go to the United States."

Going to the United States to promote and hold book signings is a mutually beneficial thing for Lin Weimin and Random House.

But Lin Weimin had a job after all, so it was impossible for him to take time out to go to the United States for a period of time every year. He refused decisively, which made Qiao Sen even more disappointed.

"Well, when you come to the United States next time, be sure to notify me in advance. Holding some book signings and interviews will not only be beneficial to the sales of your book, but also your personal popularity and influence." Qiao Mori Road.

"Of course!"

The winners of the National Book Critics Circle Award have just been announced a few days ago, and there will be an awards ceremony in the future. However, Lin Weimin will not be able to attend if he does not go to the United States. Lin Weimin handed over this job to Qiao Sen and asked him to help receive the award on his behalf. , and then mail it to yourself.

After the communication ended, the two hung up the phone.

The news that "Burning" won the National Book Critics Circle Award made Lin Weimin quite happy, and it seems that he will retract his previous ideas.

"The Intouchables" won the Tony Award by flattering Americans, and "Burning" won the National Book Critics Circle Award by scolding Americans.

It seems that there are many knowledgeable people in American society, and they can see that Teacher Lin is deeply responsible for their hatred and love.

The news that "Burning" won the National Book Critics Circle Award did not need to be spread by Lin Weimin himself, because the content of the novel reflects to a certain extent the group of international students in the United States, so these international students have been paying close attention to "Burning".

The winners of the National Book Critics Circle Award had just been announced in the newspaper when someone discovered it, and it quickly spread among the international student circles in the United States, and then back to China.

In less than half a month, the news that Lin Weimin won the National Book Critics Circle Award for "Burning" spread in the domestic literary world.

Those people in the cultural circles who cursed Lin Weimin were completely silent this time.

Why are you scolding me now?

It's like the owner has a dog. When someone speaks rudely to the owner, the dog steps forward and barks. As a result, instead of blaming the person, the owner treats the person as a guest of honor.

It goes without saying that the dog is depressed inside, but after all, it is loyal and has to find a way to excuse its owner.

My master is kind and kind, and has the capacity to accommodate all rivers.

Literary awards on the other side of the ocean, apart from various rumors and discussions outside, actually have no substantial impact on Lin Weimin. He still goes to work and off work on time every day.

On this day, Tong Zhonggui ran to his office and said excitedly: "Teacher Lin, are you free tomorrow night?"

"What's the matter?" Lin Weimin asked.

"The person you have been asking me to follow is coming to Yanjing on a business trip. I want to treat him to dinner. You should come too!"

Upon hearing what Tong Zhonggui said, Lin Weimin became interested, "Okay!"

Tong Zhonggui clapped his hands and said, "This is great. You don't know, I have been encouraging him for half a year, and he finally started writing novels recently. When he comes back to Yanjing, I must persuade him to put all his energy into the creation of novels." superior."

Lin Weimin nodded and asked: "Don't just talk about him. You haven't heard anything for more than a year, right? What have you written recently? Is there anything you can show to others?"

Speaking of this topic, Tong Zhonggui smiled a little shyly, "I'm writing now. I'm almost finished. I'm holding back a lot this time."

Lin Weimin has not cared about Tong Zhonggui's creation this year. It seems that he wants to give himself a surprise!

"Long story?"

"Yes, long story!" Tong Zhonggui nodded, looking determined and confident.