Calm and Witty Narration--Yan Lianke's novel Hard as Water

The narration paradigm of the novels, which thernatically relate to Culture Revolution, is rather monotonous at the new historical stage. Most writers take up the politically authoritative point of view to criticize the ultra- left political line during the Cultural Revolution period, thus, the emotional and psychological hurt imposed on the Chinese populace by the wrong political line is displayed, so is the alienated human nature and the twisted soul under the high political tension. Yan Lianke, however, from a new point of view, gives explanations for what caused the upheaval of Cultural Revolution in his latest work Hard as -water through realistic and symbolic artistic description. Thus Yan opens up a new area for Cultural Revolution depiction in novels. This paper intends to discuss some of the features which exist in Hard as water in the narration of Cultural Revolution history.