Marrow {novella}

Yan Lianke is one of the great writers to come from China's post-revolutionary generation, and more specifically of the post-reform era. Most of his books either satirize the feverish move toward capitalism or incorporate a magical realism that describe how we deal with the afterlife in absurd settings. "Marrow" is of the latter.

It is a short novella and not a bad introduction to the author, although it lacks the intricacy and depth of his masterpieces "Dream of Ding Village," based on largely true events, and "Lenin's Kisses." "Marrow" is about a woman in search of spouses for her four children, all of whom suffer from mental disabilities. The mother discovers how to "solve" their difficulties and sets about roaming the far-away show more countryside where they live in order to cure them.

The setting - the fictional Balou countryside - of "Marrow" seems to be a precursor to the setting of "Lenin's Kisses," and in fact the whole story seems to be testing out the premises used in "Lenin's Kisses." Longtime readers of Yan Lianke will enjoy that although this novella lacks the depth of his other works. New readers will get an excellent idea of how Yan Lianke approaches absurdity and get a feel for his style. show less

Un bien étrange livre que ce tout petit opus. Une ode à l’amour maternel nous dit-on. Oui, c’est vrai, mais quel amour maternel… Yan Lianke va le chercher dans les recoins les plus sombres de la maternité et de la famille. J’espérais retrouver la lumineuse poésie de Les jours, les mois, les années. Ce ne fut pas le cas même si le livre se passe encore une fois dans une campagne éloignée de tout et où les traditions sont vivaces.
Un livre court à lire si cela ne vous dérange pas d’être un peu bousculé par une atmosphère un peu glauque, ou tout au moins pesante. Je l’ai lu, je n’en suis pas mécontente, mais je n’y reviendrai pas.

Balou mendikateko balada, Yan Lianke, Maialen Marin eta Aiora Jaka (itzultzaileak): Balou mendikateko herrixka galdu eta pobre batean, lau anai-arreba atzeratu daude familia batean, eta haien amak, You Sipok, eginahal guztiak egin beharko ditu, bai etxea aurrera ateratzeko, bai seme-alabentzako ezkongai egokiak topatzeko, horretarako biziekin eta hilekin borrokan ibili behar badu ere, herrikideen aurreiritziei nahiz naturaren legeei aurre eginez.
Mitoa eta errealismoa modu berezian uztartzen ditu Yan Liankek nobela honetan, mendialdeko bizitza zail eta gogorra kontatzeko ametsak, fantasia eta magia ere erabiliz, eguneroko bizitzaren azpian dautzan errealitate ikusezinak agerian jarriz. Gai gordinak hizkuntza eder baten bidez landuz eta show more kontakizunari erritmo doi eta egitura perfektua emanez. show less