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A review by goldencages
The Seventh Day by Yu Hua
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Seventh Day is a book about gruesome topics like death, the afterlife, misfortunes, and life at the margins of society, but it is surprisingly comfortable and easy to read, infused with well-flowing prose by Yu Hua and the warmth that colours his vision of the afterlife for the unburied and recently passed people on Earth.
As our main protagonist Yang Fei wanders through the stations of his life, seemingly fatefully drawn to this or that chapter of his existence, we encounter not just his own touching and "ordinarily tragic" story but also that of many people around him – from his ex-wife to neighbours, adoptive parents, people he read about in the news, and more. Their stories paint a rich picture of Yang Fei's China: the hustle of the big cities, the technological changes, the social expectations placed on men and women, parents and children, employees and lovers. In these tales, life is not easy and life is not always fair.
The afterlife Yu Hua draws for his characters in contrast is a fairer world – yes, there are still VIP zones for the rich and privileged in the souls' crematory – but overall, old grudges are put aside, regrets are addressed, and second chances are given. It is a hopeful image of what comes after death – but, to me at least, also a powerful reminder not to leave our societies (China or elsewhere) unchanged so that we can only wait for a kinder afterlife to come.
As our main protagonist Yang Fei wanders through the stations of his life, seemingly fatefully drawn to this or that chapter of his existence, we encounter not just his own touching and "ordinarily tragic" story but also that of many people around him – from his ex-wife to neighbours, adoptive parents, people he read about in the news, and more. Their stories paint a rich picture of Yang Fei's China: the hustle of the big cities, the technological changes, the social expectations placed on men and women, parents and children, employees and lovers. In these tales, life is not easy and life is not always fair.
The afterlife Yu Hua draws for his characters in contrast is a fairer world – yes, there are still VIP zones for the rich and privileged in the souls' crematory – but overall, old grudges are put aside, regrets are addressed, and second chances are given. It is a hopeful image of what comes after death – but, to me at least, also a powerful reminder not to leave our societies (China or elsewhere) unchanged so that we can only wait for a kinder afterlife to come.