Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 285 Winning the Nobel Prize!
"Zhang Chao, you won the prize!"

"Um?"

“Nobel Prize!”

"Puff~~~" Zhang Chao couldn't hold back a mouthful of tea and sprayed it all over the face of Wang Zhenxu who was sitting opposite him.

Wang Zhenxu didn't even bother to wipe the tea off his face for a moment. He stared in amazement at Lan Ting, who looked excited.

This news is too outrageous. Even the great writers on Qidian don’t dare to write like this.

Zhang Chao was choked and coughed. It took him a while to recover. He said to Lan Ting, "Do you think I'm an idiot? How can the Nobel Prize be awarded in March?"

Wang Zhenxu had a hard time resisting the urge to roll his eyes in front of Zhang Chao - So you don't think it's a surprise that you won the Nobel Prize?

Lan Ting pouted again when she heard that, stuffed a newspaper into Zhang Chao's arms, and said, "Read it yourself!"

Zhang Chao opened the newspaper, which was a copy of the Southeast Morning Post. A report in the current affairs section had a big headline: "Young writer Zhang Chao won the American Nobel Prize in Literature!"

Zhang Chao's eyes went dark. What on earth was this? "American Nobel Prize in Literature"?
Look carefully at the report content:
"Our newspaper reports that the novel "The Great Physician" by young writer Zhang Chao won the "Best Novel" award at the "2006 National Book Critics Circle Award" announced yesterday evening in China time.

It is reported that the "National Book Critics Circle Award" is one of the most authoritative literary awards in the United States. It was founded by the American Book Critics Circle in 1975 to promote "the best books and reviews published in English". The selection scope includes books translated into English and published in the United States. It is known as the "Nobel Prize" of American literature.

This is the first time that a Chinese writer has won this award. Zhang Chao is also the youngest winner in the history of the "National Book Critics Circle Award". Zhang Chao's winning of this award is not only the result of his continuous efforts in literary creation, but also the fruitful result of the cultural construction of our province.

......"

Zhang Chao didn’t read the following content, he just knew that he had become a “successful achievement” again.

There were not many students in the school cafeteria at 9 o'clock in the morning, so it didn't attract much attention.

Looking at Lan Ting who was happier than himself, Zhang Chao said helplessly: "This is not a 'Nobel Prize' at all, it's just a domestic literary award in the United States. Simon & Schuster should have nominated me.

Earlier this year, Simon & Schuster sent me an email saying that The Great Doctor was on the shortlist of finalists. I thought it was just a runner-up, after all, the other books were quite famous, but I didn’t expect it to win.

Maybe the theme of The Great Physician is more favored by those book reviewers. I heard it was announced last night? Then David Miller probably sent me an email, but I was tired from classes these two days and went to bed early, so I didn't check my email.

Uh…I guess the reporters who know the news called me but my phone was turned off.”

When a sentence is spoken, it will sound different to different people.

Wang Zhenxu was speechless - the "National Book Critics Circle Award" is the most mainstream and authoritative literary award in the United States. Although it is not as important as the "National Book Award" and the "Pulitzer Prize for Fiction", the latter two are only awarded to writers with American citizenship. No matter how well Zhang Chao writes, he is not eligible to participate.

Therefore, the "National Book Critics Circle Award" is almost the highest-level American literary award that a foreign writer can receive, and its influence is incomparable to Japan's "Akutagawa Prize" and "Naoki Prize".

Zhang Chao, however, looked like he didn't care about winning the award - how proud must this man be inside?
And he mentioned Simon & Schuster casually. Isn't that the largest publishing house in the United States? Although he had never heard of David Miller, he was probably a senior executive or editor-in-chief of the publishing house. Why did Zhang Chao act like he didn't care?

Even though she had already regarded "serving" Zhang Chao as an important stepping stone in her life, this man was like an iceberg. Even if he revealed a little bit of his resources, she would still be unable to reach him.

Thinking of this, Wang Zhenxu felt even more regretful for his initial provocation. If he had known this would happen, would it have been better for him to just slide down and kneel down?

Lan Ting was a little confused and asked, "Why? Is this award not good?"

Zhang Chao thought about it and explained to Lan Ting: "The National Book Critics Circle Award is certainly very authoritative and influential, but because its scope is limited to English novels published in the United States, it is not considered an international award.

The only award that can truly be considered the "American Nobel Prize in Literature" is definitely the "Neustadt International Prize for Literature." However, this award is almost equivalent to a "lifetime achievement award," so I will have to wait at least another 30 years.

Lan Ting was still a little confused: "So..."

Zhang Chao said unhappily: "So the reporter who wrote this report is either uneducated or just wants to attract attention - I guess it's the latter!"

Lan Ting finally understood, but she was still very excited. She said to Zhang Chao, "It's an American literary award! This is the third award you've won, right? From China to Japan, and then from Japan to the United States, one step forward every year!"

At this point, Zhang Chao suddenly seemed to remember something, and hurriedly picked up the newspaper and read the report carefully again. As a result, after reading it twice, he still didn't see the thing he was most concerned about. He could only sigh and put the newspaper back on the table.

Wang Zhenxu asked nervously, "What's wrong?"

Zhang Chao smacked his lips and said angrily, "Why didn't you mention the prize money? This "National Book Critics Circle Award" doesn't have any prize money, does it? The "Zhuang Zhongwen Award" and the "Electric Shock Award" also gave me prize money..."

The National Book Critics Circle Award does not receive sponsorship from publishers, so there is no prize money.

Lan Ting: “…” Why didn’t I see that you were such a money-grubber before?
Wang Zhenxu: “…” How much money do you want? I’ll go back to Japan and sell everything I have to raise the money for you. Can you just give me the prize?

Zhang Chao stuffed the last bun into his mouth, chewed it and swallowed it, then took another sip of soy milk and said to Wang Zhenxu and Lan Ting, "Let's go. No matter what award you win, you still have to attend today's open class!"

After saying that, he led the two dazed people out of the cafeteria and headed straight for the teaching building.

Zhang Chao acted calmly, but the news that he won the "National Book Critics Circle Award" soon caused an uproar in the country!

The reports of other newspapers were obviously not as exaggerated as the Southeast Morning Post, which was bent on creating a "political achievement project", but they also reported the news of Zhang Chao's award with the most impressive headlines:
"Literary Miracle: Young Chinese Writer Zhang Chao Wins National Book Critics Circle Award" ——People's Daily

"Young Chinese writer Zhang Chao won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Best Novel for his novel The Great Doctor, becoming not only the youngest winner in the history of the award, but also a symbol of the rise of Chinese writers on the international stage."

"From 'Rising Star' to 'Supernova', Zhang Chao wins the National Book Critics Circle Award" - Guangming Daily

"The National Book Critics Circle Award, known as the American Nobel Prize in Literature, was awarded to Chinese writer Zhang Chao for the first time this year. This young writer has attracted wide attention in the global literary community with his profound literary insight and unique narrative style."

"The Strongest Voice in Chinese Literature: Zhang Chao Wins the "National Book Critics Circle Award"" ——"Nan Guo Daily"

"In traditional concepts, the National Book Critics Circle Award seems to always be associated with American writers. However, Chinese writer Zhang Chao broke this convention with his work The Great Doctor and became the first Chinese writer to win the award."

……

Even the media in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore have noticed the special features of Zhang Chao's award:

"A new literary upstart is crowned the new king" - Sing Tao Daily

"Zhang Chao is not only the first Chinese writer to win this award, but also the youngest winner. This is amazing! People from all walks of life are paying attention to this talented young writer. There are reports that there may be a mysterious force behind Zhang Chao. I wonder if this mysterious force will be his secret weapon in his future literary career?"

"Surprise! Lu Qing writer Zhang Chao shines internationally and wins the glorious crown of the American Literature Award" - Lianhe Zaobao

"Zhang Chao's winning of the award undoubtedly brings glory to mainland literature. However, some people on the island are curious about the creative process of this suddenly rising literary star. What impact will his success have on cross-strait literary exchanges? In fact, Zhang Chao's literary achievements are inseparable from the nurturing of Taiwanese literature. It is reported that Taiwanese writers have greatly helped his growth..."

...These days, apart from the Nobel Prize in Literature, the awards that most excite the Chinese people are the various awards beginning with "America", followed by Britain and France, and then Japan and Italy.

This cannot be entirely attributed to worshipping foreign things. On the one hand, people are generally tired of domestic literary awards. On the other hand, when Chinese writers win awards, people feel a sense of pleasure of "defeating foreigners."

In 1988, Jia Pingwa won the "Mobil Pegasus Literature Award", which was only a "Bronze Award", which was a very glorious page in his resume.

Although Yu Hua has never won the "Mao Dun Literature Prize", the "Italian Grinzane Cavour Literature Prize" is enough to make him proud.

Therefore, Zhang Chao's winning of the "National Book Critics Circle Award" this time is undoubtedly a shot in the arm for the Chinese literary world!

When the awards were announced last night, a Writers Association meeting far away in Yenching, which had lasted until the night, decided to establish a new "Mao Dun Newcomer Literature Award." Several vice-chairmen actually had some complaints in their hearts, after all, "awards based on personalities" always make people uncomfortable.

But when I heard that Zhang Chao had won this American award, all my complaints were buried forever. How could the American Book Critics Circle give such a big award to Zhang Chao without anyone notifying me? What does this mean?
Oh - I give out awards that the China Writers Association dare not give out; I admire writers that the China Writers Association does not admire; in a word, I want awards for those that the China Writers Association has awarded, and I also want awards for those that the China Writers Association cannot award; award first and report later, this is the association's special permission, right?
This is putting the entire Writers Association on fire!

Even if the "Mao Dun Literature Newcomer Award" is successfully held and Zhang Chao wins the award this year, the significance and value will be greatly different.

The people will only think that the Writers Association is picking up other people's spit, and only after the Americans have given the award will they remember to give Zhang Chao an award to recognize his creation.

If Zhang Chao is not given this award, then there is no need to hold the "Mao Dun Literature Newcomer Award" and it will definitely become a joke.

What a dilemma!

Chairman Tie Ning was overwhelmed, wondering why Zhang Chao always gave him problems...

Back to Zhang Chao——

When he entered the classroom this morning, he was obviously treated differently. As soon as he entered, his classmates spontaneously applauded him for nearly two minutes, until his hands became sore from pressing down, and the applause gradually stopped.

This is a real writer who won the "Nobel Prize for American Literature". He is standing in front of us and is about to give us a lesson? It's too unreal...

Zhang Chao saw that the gazes of his classmates below the stage had obviously upgraded from love, admiration and respect to worship, almost fanatical worship!

Because we were in Ludao, the first thing we saw was basically the report "Young Writer Zhang Chao Won the "American Nobel Prize in Literature"!" Whether it was "America" ​​or "Nobel Prize in Literature", it really shocked the hearts of these young literary people.

So even though people know that this title exaggerates the status of the "National Book Critics Circle Award," almost everyone chooses to ignore it.

Zhang Chao was helpless and said to the students in the classroom: "Okay, now that we have finished touring the 'Giant Pandas', can we talk about our theme for today?"

There was laughter from the audience.

Zhang Chao said: "I actually just found out about the award. Everyone's attention to it also confirms the theme we talked about a few days ago - 'The power structure and literary values ​​behind literary awards'."

A student immediately asked: "Are you saying that the National Book Critics Circle Award also represents a certain literary value and power structure, trying to tame readers?"

Zhang Chao nodded and said, "It's not just about taming readers, it's also taming authors. The Nobel Prize in Literature is often criticized for being too conservative and too academic, so there are often claims that a certain writer is "shooting for the Nobel Prize," and there are even public odds for betting.

Some writers who have won many honors do tend to consciously or unconsciously approach the values ​​of the Nobel Prize in their creations. The Nobel Prize judges, like the examiners, have also begun to constantly "use routines" and "anti-routine".

These are all manifestations of awards domesticating writers. Specifically, the "National Book Critics Circle Award" that I won has a value system of being highly open, diverse, and international, with the purpose of showing the "strange landscape" in literature.

Therefore, many writers outside the United States, or writers of non-native American ethnic groups, will win awards for marginalized themes. This is actually a kind of domestication or shaping, which is equivalent to telling us foreign writers what kind of "meals" they like, so that we can cook according to their recipes..."

"Is this kind of domestication useful? Are you affected?" another student asked boldly. But as soon as he asked, he was patted by the student behind him, indicating that his question was too abrupt.

However, Zhang Chao indicated that it didn't matter, and then answered openly: "Of course it is useful. Every line of text I write is the result of different political, economic, philosophical, social... forces that have domesticated literature in different ways over a long period of time.

Uh...how do you explain it? Have you seen the movie The Devil Wears Prada? "

Most of the students in the classroom, especially the girls, nodded. The Devil Wears Prada is a classic fashion film starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway. It was released in the United States in June 2006 and in China in February 6.

This film showed the cruelty, ruthlessness, corruption and exploitation of the luxurious and glamorous fashion industry for the first time, and also showed its value. The heroine's dress-changing show opened the eyes of many young Chinese people - so this is what fashion is all about?

Zhang Chao continued: "Do you still remember a line in the movie?

"You picked that blue striped sweater, thinking you chose it on your own terms. But in fact, the sky blue dress first appeared at Oscar de la Renta's show in 2002... Soon, sky blue appeared in the next eight designers' shows... You think you chose it yourself, and you think your choice is outside the fashion industry, but in fact, the clothes you wear are actually chosen for you by the people in this room."

This line is so famous. It is also the line in the movie where the fashion devil Miranda completely defeats the assistant Andy Sachs who thinks she is talented. It points out how the fashion industry affects people's picky about colors and choices of styles without being perceived.

So the students nodded one after another, and some of them were perceptive enough to realize what Zhang Chao meant.

Zhang Chao said: "Fashion is like this, and literature is actually similar. The classics we can learn from childhood are all selected according to different standards. What are these standards? Aren't they largely controlled by a small group of people?

Therefore, we should not over-talk about the "independence" of writers. We are being domesticated and shaped all the time. It's just that some of our resistance is more violent, and we are more noticeable; some of our resistance is very hidden, and we are already affected without knowing it. "

The students felt that Zhang Chao had explained a rather complicated concept in a simple and easy-to-understand way by using lines from a popular movie.

But Wang Zhenxu, who is also a writer, felt a chill in his ears.

How calm, objective and rational he was, as if it was not Zhang Chao himself who had just won the American Literature Award. To what extent must a person reflect on himself to still analyze himself in such a situation?

He turned his head and suddenly saw his teacher, Professor Iizuka, standing at the door of the classroom, listening quietly to Zhang Chao's lecture, with a look of approval on his face from time to time. Suddenly he remembered a sentence from Lu Xun that Professor Iizuka had mentioned:

"I do dissect others from time to time, but I dissect myself more ruthlessly."

I'm afraid this is the most appropriate description of Zhang Chao at this time.

Before I knew it, more and more Chinese teachers were standing at the door of the classroom, including professors, lecturers, and ordinary teaching assistants. Almost all those who had no classes but were still in school came over.

When Lan Ting saw this situation, she quickly organized her classmates to sneak out through the back door and go to the empty classroom next door to bring chairs for the teachers.

Soon, the open space at the entrance of the classroom was filled with people. Everyone looked at Zhang Chao with scrutiny, admiration, confusion, or sighs...

What they thought in their minds was more or less similar to what Wang Zhenxu thought - how could a young man who had just won an American literary award come to the classroom so calmly and confidently, and analyze himself in front of his students without any scruples?
Professor Lin Danya recalled the conversation she had with the department head Li Wuwei that night, and suddenly she had an epiphany: Aren’t all the lectures, exchanges, and open classes that Zhang Chao gave in the past two weeks on Ludao Island, put together, the precious wealth he left to Xiamen University?

Especially, he won the "National Book Critics Circle Award" during his exchange visit to Xiamen University. As long as the information about Zhang Chao is sorted out, this experience will always be included in his resume.

But just as Zhang Chao was receiving numerous praises in China and even in the Chinese community around the world, on the other side of the Asian continent, a "superpower" was denouncing him:
"The Chinese thief stole the crown bestowed by Shiva on the Indian people!"

(End of this chapter)