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Leave Me Alone: A Novel of Chengdu
Three years after graduation, Cheng Zhong works in a dead-end job as a sales manager for a motor oil company. He remains friends with two former classmates from his university days; Li Lang, who has quit his job and become rich gambling the stock market; and Bighead Wang, who is the head of the local police station.
All have put aside the lofty dreams of their youth in their scramble to strike it rich in the newly capitalist China; 'We lost our minds in the struggle to be first; lost our way because we were crazy for cash.' Despite their aspirations, the trio's lives are mired in drinking, drugs, and whoring, and beset by boredom, disillusion and gambling debts.
Cheng Zhong is married to Zhao Yue, whom he met when he saved her from being raped. Although he loves her, he treats her badly and plays around with other women. Chen Zhong's bravado can't save him from his mounting problems; a large debt to his company, a pregnant mistress and a best mate who is sliding into drug addiction. But it isn't until Cheng Zhong suspects Zhao Yue of having an affair that he realises exactly how much he stands to lose. And by then it is too late to stop what he's set in motion...
All have put aside the lofty dreams of their youth in their scramble to strike it rich in the newly capitalist China; 'We lost our minds in the struggle to be first; lost our way because we were crazy for cash.' Despite their aspirations, the trio's lives are mired in drinking, drugs, and whoring, and beset by boredom, disillusion and gambling debts.
Cheng Zhong is married to Zhao Yue, whom he met when he saved her from being raped. Although he loves her, he treats her badly and plays around with other women. Chen Zhong's bravado can't save him from his mounting problems; a large debt to his company, a pregnant mistress and a best mate who is sliding into drug addiction. But it isn't until Cheng Zhong suspects Zhao Yue of having an affair that he realises exactly how much he stands to lose. And by then it is too late to stop what he's set in motion...
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2006
12 people are currently reading
386 people want to read
About the author
Murong Xuecun
9 books48 followersMurong Xuecun (Chinese: 慕容 雪村; pinyin: Mùróng Xuěcūn, born 1974) is the pen name of the Chinese writer Hao Qun (郝群).His debut work Leave Me Alone: A Novel of Chengdu (Chinese: 成都，今夜请将我遗忘), which was distributed online, propelled him to stardom. On July 22, 2008 Murong made the long list for the Man Asian Literary Prize. As of November 2011, his microblog account has nearly 1.1 million followers.
Murong's writing deals mostly with social issues in contemporary China, exploring themes such as corruption, business-government relations, and general disillusionment over modern life. His literature is known for its nihilistic, realist, racy, and fatalist style. Following his rise to fame, Murong has emerged as one of the foremost critics of censorship in China.
(from Wikipedia)
Murong's writing deals mostly with social issues in contemporary China, exploring themes such as corruption, business-government relations, and general disillusionment over modern life. His literature is known for its nihilistic, realist, racy, and fatalist style. Following his rise to fame, Murong has emerged as one of the foremost critics of censorship in China.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 4, 2020
ehkä 2,5...
kunnon äijäily sovinismijuttuja, vähän samat vibat kun rajasta etelään auringosta länteen. tässä vähän paremmin onnistuttu välttämään päähenkilön liikaa romantisoimista, mulle ainakin tää oli selkeämmin tarkotettu oikeasti surkeiden ja vaikeiden elämien kuvaamiseen ja oli helpompi lukea neutraalina kuvauksena ajasta ja paikasta
silti vaan mietin koko ajan että Miksi
mielenkiintoinen esipuhe jossa kerrottiin miten tää kirjailija on kokenut sensuurin vaikuttaneen omaan luovuuteen ja että se on johtanut jopa lannistumiseen ja itsesensuuriin
kunnon äijäily sovinismijuttuja, vähän samat vibat kun rajasta etelään auringosta länteen. tässä vähän paremmin onnistuttu välttämään päähenkilön liikaa romantisoimista, mulle ainakin tää oli selkeämmin tarkotettu oikeasti surkeiden ja vaikeiden elämien kuvaamiseen ja oli helpompi lukea neutraalina kuvauksena ajasta ja paikasta
silti vaan mietin koko ajan että Miksi
mielenkiintoinen esipuhe jossa kerrottiin miten tää kirjailija on kokenut sensuurin vaikuttaneen omaan luovuuteen ja että se on johtanut jopa lannistumiseen ja itsesensuuriin
September 16, 2014
A contemporary Chinese noir, LEAVE ME ALONE had all the hallmarks of a great book yet it fell short on a number of levels. I'm not sure if something was lost in translation or if the author was a little lose with the writing as the style was jumpy, often switching gears from urbane poetic to grade school in a matter of sentences.
The story of a slowly depreciating young man living a life of deceit and sin who has little sense of self despite the at times overbearing narrative attempting to illustrate the opposite is a constant draw back and contrary to what the novel was to deliver rather than complimentary - in my view.
The lead character starts with a good job, professional prospects, a close knit circle of friends and a loving wife - by the end of LEAVE ME ALONE all this things are little more than words in the wind.
The premise is definitely something I like reading and could be vaguely compared to a Jason Starr white collar noir (without the murder) yet there was always this limitation to the expanses LEAVE ME ALONE could reach.
Review first appeared on my blog: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
The story of a slowly depreciating young man living a life of deceit and sin who has little sense of self despite the at times overbearing narrative attempting to illustrate the opposite is a constant draw back and contrary to what the novel was to deliver rather than complimentary - in my view.
The lead character starts with a good job, professional prospects, a close knit circle of friends and a loving wife - by the end of LEAVE ME ALONE all this things are little more than words in the wind.
The premise is definitely something I like reading and could be vaguely compared to a Jason Starr white collar noir (without the murder) yet there was always this limitation to the expanses LEAVE ME ALONE could reach.
Review first appeared on my blog: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
June 9, 2013
One of the most informative books about modern China you will find. Chinese history produced in China and works on Chinese culture will provide a sanitized view, conveniently overlooking what does not sit well with government censors. This book tells it like it is and authentically portrays the challenges of business life, personal life, married life, relationships with friends, and so on.
LEAVE ME ALONE is essential reading for those wishing to better understand the China of today.
LEAVE ME ALONE is essential reading for those wishing to better understand the China of today.
December 8, 2018
Some people can make sacrifices for love. I both respect and despise these people, because my own feelings are more complex.
V zásadě jde o nástřel autorova pozdějšího majstrštyku "Než slehne rudý prach". Děj, postavy, styl, situace i celkové pojetí jsou v zásadě nemlich to samé; jen odehrávající se o jednu společenskou třídu níže.
Vše co tu je, se v pozdějším díle objeví dotaženější, lépe napsané, o mnohavrstevnaté motivy obohacené, vyzrálejší a prostě tak nějak celkově lepší. Což však neznamená, že i toto není výtečné. Protože je, jen to chtě nechtě stojí ve stínu svého mladšího bratříčka odsouzené do nevděčné škatulky "pokud po dočtení Rudého prachu chytnete slinu na něco ze stejného ranku". Jedině snad závěr je dostatečně silný, aby obstál sám o sobě.
V zásadě jde o nástřel autorova pozdějšího majstrštyku "Než slehne rudý prach". Děj, postavy, styl, situace i celkové pojetí jsou v zásadě nemlich to samé; jen odehrávající se o jednu společenskou třídu níže.
Vše co tu je, se v pozdějším díle objeví dotaženější, lépe napsané, o mnohavrstevnaté motivy obohacené, vyzrálejší a prostě tak nějak celkově lepší. Což však neznamená, že i toto není výtečné. Protože je, jen to chtě nechtě stojí ve stínu svého mladšího bratříčka odsouzené do nevděčné škatulky "pokud po dočtení Rudého prachu chytnete slinu na něco ze stejného ranku". Jedině snad závěr je dostatečně silný, aby obstál sám o sobě.
May 4, 2017
Olkoonpa miten ansiokasta nyky-Kiinan kuvausta tahansa, niin tämän mulkvistin edesottamusten seuraamiseen on aikani liian kallis. Vasitenkin kun ei ole varmuutta, käykö hänelle lopulta edes esimerkinomaisen ikävästi.
September 11, 2016
Romance mostra um submundo de corrupção, traição, amizade e explosão econômica do ponto de vista de um representante de vendas em uma das maiores cidades da China
Chen Dong é um ambicioso gerente de vendas de autopeças em Chengdu, uma das metrópoles mais populosas da China. Ele é a nova cara do gigante asiático, trabalha como um louco na empresa e gasta como um louco enchendo a cara bares, em puteiros e compras. O tipo de cara que se mete em rolos como engravidar a noiva do melhor amigo, de ter que conversar com o contador da firma sobre seu uso “flexível” de verbas de viagens, assim como os acordões para receber por fora de clientes.
À sua volta gira um panteão de amigos e parentes que montam muito bem a atmosfera de uma cidade que existe para o trabalho e o prazer. Temos o chefe Gordo Dong que tenta derrubar Chen Dong a cada momento, o colega de faculdade poeta que virou viciado, o amigo policial que está subindo no escalão da corrupção e do poder e os pais, reflexos de uma geração esquecida e que não encontra lugar na explosão do milagre chinês.
Deixe-me em Paz tem um ar de Nelson Rodrigues, quase como um “A Vida Como Ela É na China”. O próprio Chen Dong é um “cafajeste adorável”, trai a mulher com tudo que tem duas pernas, mas se remói de tristeza quando ela finalmente o larga. Tem um gênio impossível com explosões de fúria, mas se encanta ao lembrar antigos poemas escritos pelo melhor amigo no tempo da faculdade.
E alguém que parece querer viver para sempre no passado. Aos 28 anos, Chen Dong já é um velho saudosista que passa o tempo remoendo os bons tempos de poucos anos atrás depois de apenas alguns anos da rotina moedora de trabalho que a cidade de Chengdu e a China exigem.
O livro tem um ritmo de thriller, por mais que o principal que aconteça seja as peripécias extraconjugais e financeiras de Chen Dong. O escritor Murong Xuecun consegue capturar com minúcias essa atmosfera ao mesmo tempo tão semelhante com a da minha cidade natal de São Paulo ao mesmo tempo com particularidades da cultura chinesa. As descrições colocam o leitor de fato dentro desse mundo que consegue ser ao mesmo tempo o mais comunista e o mais capitalista. Um lugar cruel e implacável e que consegue ser um lar aconchegante.
Chen Dong é um ambicioso gerente de vendas de autopeças em Chengdu, uma das metrópoles mais populosas da China. Ele é a nova cara do gigante asiático, trabalha como um louco na empresa e gasta como um louco enchendo a cara bares, em puteiros e compras. O tipo de cara que se mete em rolos como engravidar a noiva do melhor amigo, de ter que conversar com o contador da firma sobre seu uso “flexível” de verbas de viagens, assim como os acordões para receber por fora de clientes.
À sua volta gira um panteão de amigos e parentes que montam muito bem a atmosfera de uma cidade que existe para o trabalho e o prazer. Temos o chefe Gordo Dong que tenta derrubar Chen Dong a cada momento, o colega de faculdade poeta que virou viciado, o amigo policial que está subindo no escalão da corrupção e do poder e os pais, reflexos de uma geração esquecida e que não encontra lugar na explosão do milagre chinês.
Deixe-me em Paz tem um ar de Nelson Rodrigues, quase como um “A Vida Como Ela É na China”. O próprio Chen Dong é um “cafajeste adorável”, trai a mulher com tudo que tem duas pernas, mas se remói de tristeza quando ela finalmente o larga. Tem um gênio impossível com explosões de fúria, mas se encanta ao lembrar antigos poemas escritos pelo melhor amigo no tempo da faculdade.
E alguém que parece querer viver para sempre no passado. Aos 28 anos, Chen Dong já é um velho saudosista que passa o tempo remoendo os bons tempos de poucos anos atrás depois de apenas alguns anos da rotina moedora de trabalho que a cidade de Chengdu e a China exigem.
O livro tem um ritmo de thriller, por mais que o principal que aconteça seja as peripécias extraconjugais e financeiras de Chen Dong. O escritor Murong Xuecun consegue capturar com minúcias essa atmosfera ao mesmo tempo tão semelhante com a da minha cidade natal de São Paulo ao mesmo tempo com particularidades da cultura chinesa. As descrições colocam o leitor de fato dentro desse mundo que consegue ser ao mesmo tempo o mais comunista e o mais capitalista. Um lugar cruel e implacável e que consegue ser um lar aconchegante.
March 1, 2017
Some times lyrically beautiful, but mostly a rather boring book.
Based around the life of a car parts dealer who has a penchant for hookers, gambling and shady dealings. He is unfaithful and unscrupulous. No redeeming characters in this book. Very little to keep the story flowing. A disappointing read.
Based around the life of a car parts dealer who has a penchant for hookers, gambling and shady dealings. He is unfaithful and unscrupulous. No redeeming characters in this book. Very little to keep the story flowing. A disappointing read.
April 11, 2022
I heard about this book through We Have Been Harmonized: Life in China's Surveillance State where I read that it was published serially online and went viral in China. It took me a while to get a copy, but once I had it, I couldn't stop reading. It's incredible.
The title would be better translated, in my opinion, "Leave Me Alone, Chengdu." Leave Me Alone doesn't quite capture the literal meaning of original title, but also doesn't capture the fact that it's the entire city that seems to take on the antagonistic role in the book.
This book is deceivingly dark (Murong Xuecun doesn't strike me as a cheery philosopher). I say *deceivingly* because in spite of the trouble and chaos and the taking advantage of others, there's something peppy and thrilling about it all too. It's probably, in good part, the narration and the lively city and the way Murong Xuecun splits in your brain in half— half wanting something good for our protagonist(?) and half wanting him to get what he deserves. 'No one really loves another; or, to put it another way, we only really love ourselves.' This is true in Murong Xuecun's Chengdu, but not always, and in reading this we get caught up hoping someone might surprise us for once.
'If cities were people, Chengdu would be a happy drifter with a fatal lack of ambition.'
I've never been to Chengdu, but this is certainly a novel that is tied to a specific place. I have read several non-fiction books dealing with China recently, and quite a bit of 'modern' Chinese short stories from the times when Lu Xun and Lao She and others were very critical of their country and their people. It always struck me that those writers were coming at the work teetering between disdain for and an immense love for China and her people. Murong Xuecun feels, at least to me, to be one of the rare Chinese writers to follow in this tradition. (I've heard it's difficult to follow in this tradition of critical stories of current Chinese life, mostly because under the CCP regime and their tightening pressures on the China Writers Association, novelists are pushed to write stories from the past so they don't get in trouble and so they win awards and all that.)
This one could be a successful TV show, I think.
The title would be better translated, in my opinion, "Leave Me Alone, Chengdu." Leave Me Alone doesn't quite capture the literal meaning of original title, but also doesn't capture the fact that it's the entire city that seems to take on the antagonistic role in the book.
This book is deceivingly dark (Murong Xuecun doesn't strike me as a cheery philosopher). I say *deceivingly* because in spite of the trouble and chaos and the taking advantage of others, there's something peppy and thrilling about it all too. It's probably, in good part, the narration and the lively city and the way Murong Xuecun splits in your brain in half— half wanting something good for our protagonist(?) and half wanting him to get what he deserves. 'No one really loves another; or, to put it another way, we only really love ourselves.' This is true in Murong Xuecun's Chengdu, but not always, and in reading this we get caught up hoping someone might surprise us for once.
'If cities were people, Chengdu would be a happy drifter with a fatal lack of ambition.'
I've never been to Chengdu, but this is certainly a novel that is tied to a specific place. I have read several non-fiction books dealing with China recently, and quite a bit of 'modern' Chinese short stories from the times when Lu Xun and Lao She and others were very critical of their country and their people. It always struck me that those writers were coming at the work teetering between disdain for and an immense love for China and her people. Murong Xuecun feels, at least to me, to be one of the rare Chinese writers to follow in this tradition. (I've heard it's difficult to follow in this tradition of critical stories of current Chinese life, mostly because under the CCP regime and their tightening pressures on the China Writers Association, novelists are pushed to write stories from the past so they don't get in trouble and so they win awards and all that.)
This one could be a successful TV show, I think.
October 11, 2023
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/three-books-set-in-chengdu-death-notice-and-fate-by-zhao-haohui-and-leave-me-alone-by-murong-xuecun/
It is a dark and steamy story of a car salesman who is cheating on his wife with his best friend’s fiancee, among others, and viciously jockeying for position with his colleagues. It was originally published on the online bulletin board of the company where the author worked as, er, a car salesman. It’s brutally honest self-observation by the main character; not quite Joyce or Salinger, but a gripping window into a society which is not really so very different from ours. Although I suppose a lot of the action could happen anywhere, the setting feels firmly rooted in the sordid suburbs and old-fashioned rural periphery of Chengdu, and the couple of locations that I checked out did seem to really exist. It’s a shame that the protagonist is such an asshole, but of course that is really the point.
It is a dark and steamy story of a car salesman who is cheating on his wife with his best friend’s fiancee, among others, and viciously jockeying for position with his colleagues. It was originally published on the online bulletin board of the company where the author worked as, er, a car salesman. It’s brutally honest self-observation by the main character; not quite Joyce or Salinger, but a gripping window into a society which is not really so very different from ours. Although I suppose a lot of the action could happen anywhere, the setting feels firmly rooted in the sordid suburbs and old-fashioned rural periphery of Chengdu, and the couple of locations that I checked out did seem to really exist. It’s a shame that the protagonist is such an asshole, but of course that is really the point.
August 22, 2017
This book reminded me of Bret Easton Ellis's novels. The characters are all "shades of gray", which makes the book an interesting read while also making it quite dark. The theme of there being no true good or evil is ever-present in this book.
The protagonist is constantly behaving like a jerk, yet somehow I found myself sympathizing for him. I think that is a mark of good writing and it played well with the book's overall theme.
The protagonist is constantly behaving like a jerk, yet somehow I found myself sympathizing for him. I think that is a mark of good writing and it played well with the book's overall theme.
March 26, 2020
I found this highly readable and in fact finished it in a day! While the narrator is often crude and unlikeable, there is something about the way life in Chengdu is described that kept me hooked. Descriptions of corruption, affairs, money, and, of course, tons of references to sex and hookups, all contribute to making this book a vaguely shocking (for some) read that still manages to come across as accurate instead of ludicrous.
December 22, 2018
Life in the nouveux-capitalist People's Republic of China through the eyes of a wannabe high-flier struggling to juggle his constant womanising and gambling with attaining a moral code; a promising debut from an author who Chinese literary circles have described as their enfant terrible, ably translated by Harvey Thomlinson.
November 27, 2021
Tyylilaji yllätti tässä kirjassa - odotin ehkä enemmän haikeutta, mutta tyyli olikin melko brutaali. Rujo ja surumielinenkin. Ihmissuhdekiemurat lisäsivät mielenkiintoa tarinaan, muuten kirja oli minusta teemaltaan melko tasainen.
March 22, 2020
Did not finish. Couldn’t stand the endless misogyny which seemed to be the protagonist’s only character trait and the story didn’t seem to be going anywhere at all.
September 6, 2020
室友推荐 看了觉得有点失望
January 2, 2024
Kept waiting for something to happen. Just 300 pages of terrible men doing bad things
February 14, 2025
Päähenkilö on harvinaisen vastenmielinen. Lukeminen avasi näköalan sielunmaisemaan, jonka parissa en tämän pidempään viihtyisi.
March 9, 2025
Scathing and comical exploration of corruption and alienation in contemporary Chengdu. The story is relatable as the main characters have clawed their way into the middle class. In doing so, "Leave me alone" contrasts with other novels concerned with corruption, which most often focus on people in the top tiers of society. Last but not least, Murong's style is brilliant.
April 8, 2022
Paska kirja, olisivat voineet sensuroida tätä enemmänkin.
November 10, 2024
Yritin lukea uutta kiinalaista kaunokirjallisuutta, mutta ei toiminut. Nuoren (avio)miehen haahuilua naisten ja epämääräisten bisnesten seassa. Katsoin lopun, huonosti taisi käydä. Ei kolahtanut.
November 20, 2012
This book starts out seeming it will be a Chinese version of the awful '80s in the US--future's so bright, I have to wear shades--capitalist-worshipping hedonistic nonsense. But it isn't. Murong's characters do not rise to the top of the business world. They self-destruct. The world he portrays is empty, and the characters know it, even if they don't always realize it.
Yeah, there's some black humor, and as an American reading it, yes, the insights into Chinese culture are interesting. But it's the darkness to this work that distinguishes it from a similar American novel. And the realization that things are changing, but not in time to save the generation portrayed.
How dark this material is doesn't hit you until you finish the book.
Serviceable prose; I'm reading it in translation, but I still don't think this is "high literature." I'd be interested in hearing whether the exposure of the emptiness of the corrupt capitalist life resonates with Chinese people or is just considered obvious.
Yeah, there's some black humor, and as an American reading it, yes, the insights into Chinese culture are interesting. But it's the darkness to this work that distinguishes it from a similar American novel. And the realization that things are changing, but not in time to save the generation portrayed.
How dark this material is doesn't hit you until you finish the book.
Serviceable prose; I'm reading it in translation, but I still don't think this is "high literature." I'd be interested in hearing whether the exposure of the emptiness of the corrupt capitalist life resonates with Chinese people or is just considered obvious.
May 31, 2013
This is a grim picture of womanizing and corruption in the capital of Sichuan, in southwestern China. It's nicely written, impressionistic and harsh. It focuses on a 20-something guy in the car business in the present day, and his friends from university -- a futures trader and a cop. It reminds me of a seedier, Chinese version of one of the Hollywood films that shows a bunch of guys on a drug-fueled, prostitute-patronizing, head-bashing, trouble-inviting drunken spree in Las Vegas. Only that usually takes up only one episode in the movie, and it takes up most of the 310 pages of this book. Still, it was interesting to read some contemporary Chinese fiction, and the story was compelling.
January 18, 2016
Tähän piti tarttua, koska a) hellu on ollut Chengdussa vaihdossa, tosin aikana ennen minua, ja muistelee kaupunkia kaiholla b) koska minunkin pitäisi lähteä kesälomalla käymään Kiinassa, Pekingissä kylläkin. Romaani kuvaa 28-vuotiaan nuorukaisen kiihkeää elämää mm. alkoholin ja syrjähyppyjen maailmassa. Parhaiten mieleen jäi suunnilleen joka sivulla toistuva "Nussin äitiäsi". Kiinalaisten yleisin solvaus tai jotain? Päähenkilöä voi kuvata täydeksi sovinistimulkuksi, mutta jotenkin hänen mulkkuutensa vain teki tarinasta kiinnostavan eikä ärsyttänyt juurikaan. Varsin viihdyttävä teos, opettavainenkin (siis siinä mielessä, että harvoin tulee luettua kiinalaista kaunokirjallisuutta).
Read
April 3, 2012Not sure what I think of it, but a very realistic portrayal of life a certain sector of middle-upper class life in China. Very empty, depressing, somewhat fatalistic.
New York Times article on author: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/07/wor...
New York Times article on author: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/07/wor...
April 25, 2016
Una versión masculina del horrendo "Shanghai Baby", una novela sobre la loca vida de los nuevos ricos chinos cuyo único motivo de celebridad es el escándalo que rodeó su publicación y la ligereza moral de su protagonista (que en la estricta sociedad china choca mucho, pero no es nada del otro jueves para un occidental). La espantosa traducción indirecta desde el inglés no ayuda en absoluto.
February 20, 2015
I didn't finish the book. The language is quite difficult for me and I wasn't that much interested in the story to continue.
January 23, 2014
Wrote a bunch about this book here: http://www.asymptotejournal.com/artic...
July 2, 2014
As a expat living in Chengdu, I found the book fascinating. It really provided an interesting, though depressing, view of a side of Chinese that I don't get to see. I couldn't put it down.
February 17, 2016
Ehkä tätä ei unohda, mutta en myöskään ihastunut tähän täysillä. Sain kuitenkin kirjan lukuhaasteeseen. Mielelläni luin tätä, käännös tuntui hyvälle.
Read
November 8, 2016I got tired with all the dirty things the main character did all the time and gave up after about 120 pages.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews