By hannover-web.com On October 14th, during a recent interview, writer and film critic Alang shared insights about his new short story collection titled “Rust Fresh.” He explained, “In my interactions with others, I try to capture their essence—their breaths and expressions. I write about their vibrant solitude, the deafening silences, their notorious successes, and their self-assured brilliance.” As the title suggests, his aim is to convey both the past and the present.
“Rust Fresh” comprises five interconnected novellas that weave a narrative focused on suspense and human nature. Through a series of investigative cases, the stories explore daily life in the fictional northeastern city of Ancheng, gradually unveiling the city’s multifaceted social landscape. The cases in the book transcend simple crime narratives; they mirror the struggles of humanity and the dynamics of social change.
According to Alang, “Rust Fresh” is highly engaging, featuring a compelling literary narrative underpinned by tight logic and captivating twists. Regarding the suspense elements, he remarked, “I usually start with a case and an ending, and the entire writing process is like peeling back layers of fog alongside the reader.”
He believes novels should resonate with a broad audience. He hopes that readers not only experience the thrill of suspense but also reflect on the essence and value of human nature. “I am convinced of the world’s uncertainty. When engaging with mystery and detective stories, people often seek an absolute truth. However, the vast majority of things in this world don’t have a definitive answer. What we encounter are various perspectives on supposed facts. I want readers to join me in confronting this uncertainty and exploring the complexities and multiple facets of humanity.”
Distinctively, Alang’s approach in “Rust Fresh” involves minimal causal explanation for characters’ actions; his narrative resembles a camera that follows each character, allowing readers to observe and draw their own conclusions. “I believe that the author, the reader, and every character in the story should be equal. While the characters are my creations, they should possess their own lives and independent thoughts,” he explained. “I am reluctant to impose anything on the reader. The reading experience is a collaborative one, with everyone’s ideas interacting and colliding.”
Alang’s unique narrative style is influenced by his background as a film critic, which infuses his writing with a cinematic quality. His vivid descriptions of scenes and well-drawn characters create a palpable visual experience. This literary style not only enhances the book’s readability and appeal but also immerses readers into a film-like atmosphere.
Reflecting on his cinematic influences, Alang noted a particular admiration for the film “The Bourne Identity,” which used unconventional framing techniques focusing on the protagonist’s silhouette. “It heightened the suspense of the mystery and enriched the audience’s immersion,” he said.
“Rust Fresh” begins with a traffic accident that leads to a murder case, allowing the police to unveil long-ignored mysteries within the city while exploring various aspects of life in Ancheng. The interwoven human struggles and societal changes reflect a distinct regional character within a city steeped in the industrial grime of the North.
Alang described his hometown’s industrial landscape: “The old factories, the towering smokestacks, industrial containers—those metallic exteriors weathered by time tell stories. The rust represents marks left by time.” He perceives this rust as a result of the eroding passage of time, suggesting a unique aesthetic that embodies both past glories and current desolation. Beneath this layer of rust, he believes, resides vibrant life and emotion.
In a way, “Rust Fresh” serves as a key that unlocks the depths of this land, connecting the past to the present, and human experiences to everyday life.
In recent years, the emergence of “New Northeastern Narratives” has captured the attention of the literary world. Although Alang has been away from his hometown for years, he admits that Northeast China leaves a deep imprint on his identity. “Being away has clarified this for me. The richness of its stories and characters comes directly from the land itself. Moreover, the adjustments due to industrialization and population movements add to the region’s unique narrative appeal.”
“While ‘Rust Fresh’ does touch on some historical and contemporary issues in Northeast China, I hope it transcends these surface phenomena to delve into the essence of human nature and society,” Alang concluded.
