A widower's entertainment

Chapter 350 [Appreciation and Criticism] (Please Subscribe)
Although Lin Youcheng's latest novel, "If Love Has a Destiny," has moved countless readers, it has not received unanimous praise in literary criticism circles; in fact, some controversy and criticism have emerged.

Even though the novel "If Love Has a Destiny" was written by the literary giant Lin Youcheng, some critics in the literary criticism circle still bluntly expressed their disappointment with Lin Youcheng's latest novel.

In the journal *Literary Review*, critic Zhang Hui bluntly stated that Lin Youcheng's novel *If Love Has a Destiny* overused coincidences for sentimentality, weakening the story's realism and completely lacking the depth and meaning of his previous works, *The Reader* and *Atonement*. The review further stated: "The story is romantic, about the previous generation disregarding social status and societal norms to be together, only to fall apart, and the next generation finally achieving a happy ending through fate. However, the plot is weak. Death in war is not uncommon, as seen in *Atonement* where Luo Yang and Lin Yu both die on the battlefield, which is regrettable. But in *If Love Has a Destiny*, Zhou He is searching for a lost pendant on the battlefield when a bomb falls from the sky—a predictable event. He finds the pendant, but loses his eye in the explosion. Lin Youcheng provides a perfect excuse for this in the later ending, overusing sentimentality and ultimately weakening the story's realism..."

Besides Zhang Hui's criticism of the novel in the magazine "Literary Review", other critics have also expressed their disappointment with Lin Youcheng's "If Love Has a Destiny".

"This story is a step backward for Lin Youcheng's works. It completely lacks the deeper reflections on humanity and war found in his previous work, 'The Reader,' which is a real pity."

Clearly, just like some opinions that emerged in the editorial department of People's Literature magazine, some people believe that Lin Youcheng's latest novel, If Love Has a Destiny, is far inferior to romance novels like The Reader and Atonement, and that Lin Youcheng is regressing.

There are many criticisms from literary critics, but some also praise the touching aspects of Lin Youcheng's novel and affirm the plot design, believing that even without dramatic twists and turns, the emotional outpouring at the end is exceptionally moving. The whole story is about two love stories that transcend time and space, romantic yet full of regret.

This is actually the view of some editors at the People's Literature magazine. Lin Youcheng's novel, If Love Has a Destiny, is about love and destiny. Since it is destiny, there will naturally be the capriciousness and trickery of fate. Who can accurately predict fate? After all, no one can know what will happen in the next second.

It is for this reason that critic Zhou Jin, in publications like *Selected Novels*, spoke out in support of Lin Youcheng's novel *If Love Has a Destiny*, writing in her review: "Lin Youcheng's novel *If Love Has a Destiny*, just like its title, is about the destiny of love—things we cannot predict. But no matter what, love may experience twists and turns, but its beauty will never fade. It is like the stars in the night sky, illuminating our hearts even in the darkest moments."

"The plot of the story may be distorted, but who dares to say that this is not a true destiny? Fate is unpredictable, and so is love. At the very end of the novel, Zhou Weimin listens to Lin Xi tell the story of her parents, and suddenly bursts into tears. Without saying a word, he silently takes out a pendant from the clothes under his neck. This pendant is the one that Lin Xi's mother, Song Hongqingyue, gave to her lover, Zhou He. All the truth is revealed. Such a plot design may seem weak and unrealistic, but no one knows whether such fate will really come true."

"Perhaps only when we calm down will we realize that in this restless and noisy world, after experiencing so many worldly trials, the pure and beautiful emotions deep within our hearts have never changed. In certain moments of inner emotion, tenderness, and warmth, it can still be gently awakened by some invisible force. Lin Youcheng's novel is titled 'If Love Has a Destiny,' not 'Love Has a Destiny.' The word 'if' is included from the beginning, perhaps because he initially thought about whether such a touching love story would exist if love had a destiny. Besides, so what if it's unrealistic? After all, it's just a hypothetical!"

Clearly, Zhou Jin's review has resonated with many readers. Lin Youcheng's novel contains the word "what if" in its title, and the story itself is about love, devoid of complex themes like humanity and redemption, much like Lin Youcheng's previous novels. This is precisely what makes this novel so valuable: seemingly simple and unadorned language, a simple reflection of two generations, with new stories, new love, and old affections constantly intertwined, making the story full of wonderful drama.

Dramatic events, aren't they another form of destiny?

Because of the influence of Lin Youcheng, a literary giant, even an essay or poem written by him can attract a lot of attention. Now, it goes without saying that his romance novel, which he excels at, will naturally generate a great deal of discussion.

Such discussions are not limited to literary criticism circles; they also generate considerable discussion among young readers.

In places like the Weiming Lake at Yenching University, it's natural to find young students who love literature exchanging and debating various opinions and viewpoints.

One student shared their thoughts, saying, "Lin Youcheng's novel uses the mother's letter as the main thread, interweaving perspectives to depict the innocent, pure, and sweet love of two generations, so clean and without a trace of impurity. The seemingly two separate stories are miraculously connected by a pendant. The unfinished love story of Zhou He and Qingyue is completed by their respective children, Weimin and Lin Xi. It's truly touching. Why is this? I think Lin Youcheng is telling us that love should be boldly expressed, not hidden deep in our hearts, otherwise it will only cause pain and leave regrets for both people."

"You're right. If you love each other, you should be brave enough to be together and not let this fate go to waste."

Clearly, this view reflects the sentiments of these students.

One student earnestly remarked, "Because of societal prejudices, two people in love were forced apart, a lifelong regret for them. But fate intervened; their children, unaware of each other's backgrounds, fell in love and came together. This, in a way, continued the love of their parents' generation—a truly destined match. In Lin Youcheng's story, I found the pure love I envision—a match that doesn't require pre-screening based on social status, a relationship that doesn't need deliberate greetings or elaborate arrangements, a ceremony that doesn't require formalities or conformity to worldly norms. It only requires two beating hearts yearning to connect and understand each other, genuine care, an irrepressible longing, and a willing sacrifice. Isn't that what makes love so captivating?"

These are the kinds of love that young readers see in Lin Youcheng's "If Love Has a Destiny," and this is what love should be like in its purest form.

It can be said that it's not just students in universities in Beijing; even in remote border cities, there are young students who love art and literature.

When Duan Long was eighteen, he read Lin Youcheng's novel "If Love Has a Destiny". He thought Lin Youcheng's novel was very touching, just like the movie and novel "Love Letter" and "Under the Hawthorn Tree" that he had seen before.

Although he is only a high school sophomore, Duan Long is already eighteen years old and has long since decided to study acting. Last year, when he performed a skit in the school's arts competition, a teacher from the directing department of the Shanghai Drama Academy asked the head of the drama troupe to pass on a message to him, saying that he had the talent for acting and could apply to the acting department of an art college. At that time, he had the idea of ​​studying acting and this year he plans to go to Beijing to take the entrance exam for the Beijing Drama Academy.

“I think Zhou He is definitely not suited for acting. He's just playing a blind man, yet he still manages to be seen through.”

The classmate next to Duan Long didn't expect him to say such a thing and laughed, saying, "If you were to act, you definitely wouldn't be able to tell that it's fake, right?"

"That's for sure."

Another classmate laughed and said, "That's how it's written in the novel. The author deliberately wrote it so that Song Qingyue could see through it." Duan Long nodded and said, "I know, but if I were to act it, I could still play a blind man who would be easily identified."

When he said this, the other students just smiled and continued discussing Lin Youcheng's novel, "If Love Has a Destiny".

Clearly, without the influx of melodramatic love stories in later years, a story like "If Love Has a Destiny" was still quite touching in 1991. If it were later, with so many overly melodramatic plots appearing constantly, and so many similar stories, it would naturally feel like they were borrowing from each other's melodramas. But it was only the early 1990s, and such a plot was more likely to bring tears to one's eyes.

There has been a lot of discussion about this, both among literary critics and readers.

Lin Youcheng himself didn't really care about the criticisms of his novel from the critics, nor did he care about their disappointment. After all, he didn't write the story for any particular critic. Different critics were just different readers, so naturally they would have different opinions.

Lin Youcheng is well aware of this, and this is not the first time his published works have been criticized and questioned.

Lin Youcheng was also well aware that there would be criticism as well as appreciation, just like the letters he was receiving from these strangers. These readers were sending their feelings about the novel "If Love Has a Destiny" from afar by writing letters.

Their story may be hidden in this letter.

Lin Youcheng naturally read all of these letters from readers, and although he did not reply, he still kept them.

Seeing that Lin Youcheng had received so many letters from readers and even planned to keep them, Xie Shuhua suddenly asked with some curiosity, "Youcheng, do you keep all the letters from your readers?"

Lin Youcheng nodded. He had plenty of houses, so he could buy a house to store his readers' letters properly, just like the children's literature author Zheng Yuanjie.

However, just as Lin Youcheng nodded, he suddenly realized that Xie Shuhua had always liked his work and might have sent him letters as a stranger, but they might be lost forever. He said, "Try to keep them. Many letters were left in Decheng before. I just don't know if Gengsheng will keep them."

Clearly, Lin Youcheng subconsciously passed the buck to Zhao Gensheng, who remained in Chunfeng Lane in Decheng.

However, this is the truth. Lin Youcheng did not throw away all the letters that he had sent to Decheng, nor did he bring them all the way to the capital. As for whether he would keep any, Lin Youcheng did not care much, since some letters would inevitably get lost.

When Xie Shuhua heard Lin Youcheng's words, her eyes flickered. She glanced at Lin Youcheng and realized that she must have written to him. In fact, she must have written to him long before he went to Yenching University to give a literature lecture. In that letter, she expressed her feelings of being moved and loving about the novel, as well as her admiration and affection for Lin Youcheng.

Xie Shuhua thought about it and couldn't help but laugh again, saying, "I wonder if you still have any reservations about my letter."

"I'll know when I have the chance to go back to Decheng in the future, but I don't know if Gengsheng will still be there."

Lin Youcheng naturally wouldn't make any definitive statements. If he kept the letters from other readers but not Xie Shuhua's, that would be quite awkward. In any case, the blame would still fall on Zhao Gensheng's family in Decheng.

Xie Shuhua naturally knew that the letters might have been lost over the years, and she didn't think that Lin Youcheng would really keep every reader's letter. After all, she knew that Lin Youcheng didn't have a separate room in Decheng to store readers' letters.

"Then I'll see if you still keep my letters."

Lin Youcheng couldn't help but smile when he heard Xie Shuhua's words. He was actually thinking about how many strangers had written to him back then. This heartbreaker had received many letters from unfamiliar female comrades. Among those letters from unfamiliar women, there were many unspeakable secrets. He couldn't remember what Xie Shuhua had written to him in her letter, so he couldn't help but ask, "What did you write to me in your letter?"

"Is this a confession?"

Xie Shuhua laughed and said, "Maybe it's criticism, like those literary critics who criticize you."

Clearly, Xie Shuhua was aware that Lin Youcheng's "If Love Has a Destiny" had received some criticism and questioning, and she said this in the hope that Lin Youcheng would not take it to heart.

Lin Youcheng naturally understood what Xie Shuhua meant. He didn't care about the criticism and doubts and replied with a smile, "If that's really the case, then I probably won't keep your letter."

(End of this chapter)