Yu Hua.[File photo]

3. The Seventh Day

By Yu Hua

The Seventh Day.[File photo]

An absurdist work inspired by Genesis, the book revolves around different spirits’ experiences and memories in the first seven days after their death, caused by the type of events that have recently aroused controversy in China. The writer thus called it his “closest contact with reality”. Some readers, however, have declared it Yu’s worst novel ever, claiming it is a cliched retelling of widely known social events that offers no more insight than reposting a comment on a micro blog. More sympathetic experts, however, argue that Yu’s writing is valuable because, by showing the desperation caused by social reality, he amplifies the value of moral principles and love.

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