I had to read the English translation since I cannot read or speak Mandarin unfortunately. Its a really good and engaging book imo, gets better with every page and supposedly loveecraft level shit goes down by the end.
In the beginning tho there are a few scenes describing the Cultural Revolution and struggle sessions.
Is it true that Einstein's theories of Relativity were frowned upon by red guard university students because they were seen as capitalist propaganda?
And is it true that some university lecturers were beaten to death during the struggle sessions? I mean cool if they deserved it (feudal landlords etc.) but the Relativity part seems a bit like the author making shit up.
Its funny how despite this the author is not even overtly rabidly critical of Marxism or Communism itself, unlike western authors who spend 10 pages to explain why "muh gommunism bad" every time such events get brought up. Liu seems to be critical of just the events which transpired during the cultural revolution.
You shouldn't pirate the book from z-library because its very unethical and a breach of IP, so you will be sent to hell when you die.
No idea if it is relevant but avoiding spoilers but the story takes a very pessimistic view on philosophy stuff that inclines me to believe he belives that.
Probably true, though. I used to have some unbiased sources saved for this but I lost them. However during a difficult and stressful time it is easy to imagine people taking things to far. And also it is easy to picture annoying liberals doing their best to make pointless trouble. Which is what I recall is exactly how he cast that part.
I have been thinking of going back and finishing the trilogy but I haven't quite felt up to it yet.
Yeah compared to western writers he was very objective and factual even when writing about someone who suffered from the cultural revolution in the third person.