林海雪原

by Chu Po, 曲波

Story of the military stalemate on the northeast China battlefront.

Considered one of the quintessential Chinese novels of the post-revolution period, Tracks in the Snowy Forest takes readers on a perilous journey through the wintry wilderness. PLA soldiers (People's Liberation Army) struggle amid a deadly assignment that takes them to the mountains, in a search for, and conflict with, outlaw bandits.

I. A Bloody Debt II. Horse Cudgel Hsu and Butterfly Enticer III. A Special Mission IV. Yang Tzu-Jung Meets the Tinker V. Tank Nabs Monkey Tiao VI. Night Interrogation VII. The Old Mushroom Picker Tells the Story of Breast Mountain VIII. Flying Across the Abyss. Into the Tigers Den IX. Love Comes to White Dove X. Tracks in the Snow XI. The Old Priest Miscalculates XII. Tuft Cheek XIII The Strategy Is Planned XIV. The Sister Trains of Chiapi Valley XV. Tzu-jung Presents Gifts.

Translation of Lin hai hsüeh yüan AKA Lin hai xue yuan, written by Po Chu-i AKA Chu Po AKA Qu Bo AKA Bo Zhu, whose real name is Bai Juyi.

Genres: China

588 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1957

About the author

Qu Bo (Chinese: 曲波; pinyin: Qū Bō; 1923–2002) was a Chinese novelist. His name was also translated as Chu Po. Qǔ (曲), the family name, has meanings of curve, melody and tune. Bō (波) stands for ripples and waves. His first book Tracks in the Snowy Forest (林海雪原) made him one of the most popular authors at the time.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this novel was written primarily as PLA propaganda, it's actually really enjoyable. The novel is set in China in the late 1940s, after the Japanese have surrendered and left, leaving a country at war with itself. Tracks in the Snowy Forest is fictional retelling of a true story about a small group of PLA soldiers as they attempt to track down and defeat several groups of bandits (Westerns know them as Kuomintang or Chinese Nationalists).

Having recently watched the movie, Taking of Tiger Mountain, based on a few chapters of the novel, the story was even more interesting than had I picked it up on a whim. There's lots of action (fighting, skiing, wild dogs, rescues) and humor, as well as a fictional romance (rumor has it that the author based White Dove (the only female PLA soldier in the book) and Captain 203/Chien-Po (the leader of the small band of PLA soldiers) on his wife and himself.

While I don't read Chinese, sometimes you can tell when a translation is poorly done versus when it's well done and for the most part, the translations of Tracks in the Snowy Forest is pretty good. It evoked all of the pro-PLA and anti-Nationalist feelings you'd expect to get from this novel. I cared about the characters, I wanted them to defeat the bandits and help the people. A few main characters died, which was surprisingly upsetting to read.

In the end, as history shows us, the PLA did defeat the Nationalists and in the context of Tracks in the Snowy Forest, the tiny group of PLA soldiers came out victorious, though their journey wasn't easy. If you're all interested in Chinese history, Tracks in the Snowy Forest is an enjoyable, engaging read. And, if you have a moment, why not check out The Taking of Tiger Mountain -- it's just as enjoyable (and sometimes ridiculous) as the book.

[خيال خيال · Rating 5 out of 5]

من أوائل الروايات الصينية التي قرأتها
كانت كتاباً على شيء من السماكة بدت كأنها معجمٌ وليست رواية
لم أتوقع قط أن أنغمس في أحداثها، لكنها تركت أثراً لا يمكن إنكاره في نفسي
من الكتب التي تمنيت لو احتفظت بها في مكتبتي حتى لو لم أعد قراءتها
للأسف لا يمكنني التحدث عن أحداث الرواية فقد قرأتها منذ زمنٍ طويل
لكنها رواية رائعة، أتمنى لو لقت شعبيةً أكبر بين القراء العرب

[Barack Liu · Rating 4 out of 5]

045-Tracks in the snow forest-Qu Bo-Novel-1957
Barack

--"The victory of the battle is based on the soldiers' high consciousness, steel-like will, and superb fighting skills."

The first edition of " Tracks in the snow forest " was published in 1957. It set the story of the banditry operations in the Northeast region at the beginning of the liberation war and told the story of the chief of staff of the regiment, Shao Jianbo, aiming at a small unit to fight the bandits and the puppet army.

Qu Bo, born in Huangxian County, Shandong (now Longkou City, Shandong Province) in 1923, and died in 2002. In 1938, he joined the Eighth Route Army.

In 1945, he led a small team to the deep mountains and dense forests of Mudanjiang in the northeast to fight banditry. From 1955, he began to engage in military literature creation. Representative works: " Tracks in the snow forest ", "Bridge Long Biao" and so on.

Leaving aside the story itself told by the novel, as far as literature is concerned, I think the characterization of the characters in the novel is not very successful. The characters are too rigid. Almost everyone on our side is brave, firm, and noble. Almost everyone on the enemy side is fierce, foolish, and greedy.

It is too hard to portray the character, and it is slightly artificial so that it is a bit blunt. Someone inevitably feels sensational for sensationalism, making the reader feel too deliberate purpose.

But as far as the story itself is concerned, the heroes in the story make me awe-inspiring. The novel is adapted from Mr. Qu Bo's personal experience. I also believe that there were many such unnamed national heroes in that era.

Most of them may be the same as Shao Jianbo in their early twenties, but most of them may not have the good luck of Shao Jianbo and can only bury their bones in their dreams and beliefs.

It is said that John Adams had booked in the letter, "I must study politics and war so that my son can study mathematics and philosophy freely. And my son should study mathematics, philosophy, natural history, shipbuilding, business, and architecture so that their children have the opportunity to learn painting, poetry, music, architecture, sculpture, weaving, and porcelain art. "

O our ancestors used their lives to learn politics and war. So, our generation has been lucky enough not to learn war, but we must learn technology. Perhaps when we reach our children or grandchildren, they will be free to learn the art.

I gradually realized that people in that particular era were cautious about the various remaining forces. Such cautiousness had a blood price. I gradually understand why in the first 30 years after the founding of the People's Republic of China, we will have all kinds of extreme substitutions.

The long-term wars have left leaders with too many lessons, they can't keep alert of potential risks, fearing that the remaining forces will come back.

It is easy for people to embed wartime practices into the peace era. However, the environment is different and the strategies adopted cannot be the same. If Lenin lived longer, or Stalin did not continue to adopt a high-pressure policy during the peaceful years, the outcome might be different.

I admire the leaders of those years who used the power of people to the fullest, which help them achieve the independence of China.

No matter what era it is, no matter what system it is, the social structure is always the case where the majority assists the minority to accomplish a certain goal. And if a leader is welcomed by his people, even if faced with hardships many times, there will still appear opportunities.

The people in the higher ranks must keep a clear head from time to time to prevent themselves lose popular support.

15/09/25
20/05/15