大路: 高速中國裡的低速人生

by 張贊波

在中國，條條大路通……？　　有誰曾匍匐三載，目睹中國式高速公路的誕生記？它亮麗的光彩背後有哪些啼笑皆非，辛酸無語？　　而這些底層中國人，為何難以踏上國家的通衢大道？　　當我們驅車快速駛過一條條高速公路時，無人知道它曾經發生的、它幕後掩藏的種種不為人知的故事。為了弄清楚中國的高速公路到底如何築成，作者潛伏在沈從文故鄉某條高速公路的建築工地達三年之久，他終於覓到了答案，但這答案荒誕而慘烈，讓他百感交集……　　在短短十幾年之內，一條條光鮮亮麗、風馳電掣的高速公路在中國廣袤土地上肆意擴展、無限延伸、編織成網，總里程已經達十萬公里，為全球之冠（美國接近九萬公里）。這種規模和速度是人類歷史上從未發生過的罕見奇景。對中國政府而言，這也是黨的偉大業績、燦爛的現代化榮光的證明。然而沒有人知道這些大路背後的意志、迷戀、邏輯、敘事和生命——在中國，這條「大路」既是問題的原點，竟也是答案本身。　　是的，這條中國式高速公路摧枯拉朽般地成長，與此同時，伴隨著各種頻繁發生的工安事件、抗爭、起義、上訪、黑幫介入、甚至是死亡：「媽的，修高速公路就跟打仗似的，動不動就搞死人。」　　伴隨著產業鏈條ߍ

328 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 27, 2014

Reviews

[Kuang Ting · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book seems currently no English language version is available (only in Chinese). The book is the written version of a documentary of the same name. The author/director Mr. Zhang graduated from Beijing Film Academy where he studied a master in documentary. He had a bachelor degree in Chinese literature. Therefore, his writing is of high quality. He constantly refers to classic Chinese poems. It makes the whole book become somewhat 'poetic'.

In ancient China, writers used to pay tribute or attention to the commoners. Those classics that exist to this day usually contain 'worries or concerns for the people'. So it resonates perfectly in contemporary China where many people from the bottom of the pyramids are struggling for survival. This book centers on these people. It's a journal of a construction site of a highway.

Author spent three years living among the laborers. He filmed their daily lives. He observed what common laborers were doing or thinking. Currently, road infrastructure in China is expanding furiously. This highway is just a fraction of a whole picture, but it captures the spirits of roots (草根), or the spirits of the most ordinary people.

As usual, there were several memorable figures in the book. Bosses, government officials, foreman, families, laborers, villagers, etc. Their description are vivid. Personally, I think it greatly captures the atmosphere in rural China. Development makes changes happen suddenly. Many villagers are forced to give way to 'economic development'. Hence, conflicts are expected. There are tensions between every party. Construction firms have to handle Guanxi with government agency; laborers need to fight for their benefits with the construction firm; laborers need to deal with the angry villagers whose property is damaged due to the project. Readers could get a rare glimpse into the real life of these unknown people. It reflects the dilemma, bitterness, as well as the happiness (though less than the former two) of these groups.

It's a great book for me to have reflections. It gives me more insights on the status quo of Chinese society. Apart from the affluent people, I think we really should remember there are some people behind the scene. They are backbones of Chinese economic miracles. How to make the society more equal is a question we should try to find an answer.

[MiMaoMe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is restricted for buying or discussing in China. Actually it's just simply reflecting Chinese bureaucracy and lower-level people's poverty and helpless. The author comes from the same region with me, so I have a lot of similar feelings in his writing.

[Hengyu · Rating 5 out of 5]

多麼全面深入的田野