New focus on old age

Major works by Zhou Daxin

Zhou Daxin works extremely hard on the structure of his novels.

"If it's not special enough, I wouldn't start writing," says Zhou.

The works are a result of his tough life, he says. Some of his more famous titles are:

Twentieth Act (1998)

Zhou spent 10 years on this tale of the Shang family producing silk in Central China, spanning the 20th century. It's one of his favorite works. He finished another novel, The 21 Building, after that, featuring urban stories.

Legends of the War (2003)

The book tells a legend of a Mongolian woman in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), about her being a spy seeking revenge for her lost lover.

View of the Lake and Hill (2006)

Nuan Nuan returns from Beijing to her home village to take care of her mother. Disregarding the pursuit of a powerful man there, she marries her sweetheart. But their love doesn't last.

Requiem (2012)

Zhou seeks peace of mind through a dialogue between a father and his son in heaven. Zhou imagines life after death.

The Curtain Drops, The Man Stays (2015)

The novel targets corruption of senior officials, or the "tigers". And throughout the book, the corrupt official doesn't show up. The novel is based on 27 interviews with people related to him, a newspaper report and lists of items from his bank safe.