Chapter 461 460 A Novel Is Sweeping Across America

Fang Minghua also stood at the entrance of the company.

He attended as a family member of Song Tangtang and a good friend of Zhao Hongjun.

Compared with the lively scene, Fang Minghua looked a little bleak today except for occasionally saying hello to people he knew.

Song Tangtang noticed her husband's expression. After the unveiling ceremony, she came to Fang Minghua and asked with concern: "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No." Fang Minghua shook his head, looked at the snowflakes flying all over the sky, and suddenly sighed and said:

"Tomorrow is New Year's Day again, and 1989 is here."

"What's wrong? What's different?"

"The flowers are the same every year, but the people are different every year. Have you finished your work? Let's go home." Fang Minghua said, and got into the car parked on the side of the road.

The domestic literary world in 1988 was still brilliant.

Avant-garde novels are still popular, with Mo Yan, Yu Hua, Can Xue and other backbones carrying the avant-garde banner and running wildly on the literary road. In particular, the movie of the same name adapted from Mo Yan's novel "Red Sorghum" won the Golden Bear Award in Berlin, which made Chinese and foreign readers see the talent of the new generation of Chinese writers.

At the same time, another force in the literary world is also quietly rising. The Huashan Conference hosted by "Yanhe" magazine at the foot of Huashan Mountain has pushed new realist novels to the center of the literary world.

Chi Li, Liu Zhenyun, Liu Heng.

It turns out that excellent novels are not only avant-garde modernism, but also realism. Realistic novels are beginning to return to value.

Just as the two major schools of avant-garde and new realist novels began to collide with each other, there was a writer whose works were outside the mainstream serious literature, but at the same time people had to face them.

Wang Shuo.

This year (1988), four novels, "Floating Out of the Sea", "Half Seawater and Half Flame", "Rubber Man" and "Stubborn Master", were adapted into the big screen.

This year was called "Wang Shuo Year" by the literary, film and television, and commentary circles.

Some people were in high spirits, while others left sadly.

Shen Congwen, a literary master of his generation, passed away quietly, just like the poem written by Xu Zhimo: "Waving his sleeves, not taking away a cloud."

But on the other side of the ocean, a novel is sweeping the entire United States.

Although it is midwinter and the wind is cold, there is a long queue in front of Noble Books, the largest bookstore in New York, to buy a new book "Ghost" that has just been released.

A sentimental and sad novel that earns readers' tears.

Romantic love and adventure conflict in one, exploring the mysterious world separated by yin and yang in a love story of life and death, recreating the realm of true love that never changes.

At the same time, Emily was invited to participate in a cultural interview program "Round Table" by McDonald, a famous New York host.

In the program, the two talked about this book.

"Miss Emily, I heard that Mr. Minghua got the inspiration to write this book after watching the musical "The Phantom of the Opera" with you?"

"Yes, we talked about this musical on the way back to the hotel, and I was amazed that the love story between humans and ghosts was so touching."

"But he said that Eric was just a person with a congenital facial defect, not a real ghost, and true love can transcend identity, status, race, and class. So there was the idea of ​​this novel."

"Mr. Minghua is really a talented writer, his thinking is unconstrained." McDonald crossed his legs and sighed.

Then he leaned towards Emily again: "I remember that his last novel about love, "The Bridges of Madison County", was also written after he went to a small town called Winterset in Iowa with you?"

"Yes, there he saw the Rothman Bridge, which is the prototype of the bridge in the novel, and heard a widow's love story, and wrote the book "The Bridges of Madison County"," Emily said.

"It seems that Mr. Minghua and you have a good relationship. Being with you can generate wonderful inspiration and write this wonderful novel." McDonald smiled.

"Maybe. I am really happy to be with him." Emily recalled the days she spent with Fang Minghua a few months ago and said leisurely.

Fang Minghua naturally did not see this interview in the United States, but Li Li, who came back from San Francisco, USA during the winter vacation, told him.

The girl came back yesterday and couldn't wait to come to Fang Minghua's house tonight. She hugged Ruirui and sat on the sofa to tell Fang Minghua and Song Tangtang about his experiences in the United States.

"Brother-in-law, your book "Ghost" was well received by readers as soon as it was published. It rushed to the New York bestseller list in the first week! I dare say that it can definitely become the second "The Bridges of Madison County"!"

"Lili, this is also thanks to your good translation." Song Tangtang interrupted.

"It should be, who else can I translate for if not my brother-in-law?" Li Li answered, and suddenly remembered something: "Also, that female writer Emily was on the American talk show "Round Table" and talked to the host about the writing background of my brother-in-law's book."

"What did she say?"

Li Li glanced at Song Tangtang, who had a calm face, "She said that my brother-in-law got the inspiration after watching the musical "The Phantom of the Opera" with her."

"Minghua told me this, what else?"

"The host said that my brother-in-law and Emily have a good relationship, and he can burst out wonderful inspiration and write beautiful novels with her."

Unexpectedly, Song Tangtang nodded and actually agreed.

"What the host said makes sense. Both of your brother-in-law's best-selling books in the United States were written after he was with Emily. Otherwise, Minghua"

Song Tangtang looked at her husband: "In two years, go to the United States again, spend a few days with Emily, and you can write another romance novel."

Hearing Song Tangtang's teasing tone, Li Li couldn't help laughing.

Fang Minghua was a little embarrassed and explained: "No, don't listen to their nonsense, the host did it on purpose to increase the ratings of the show! Okay, let's not talk about this, Lili, has anyone contacted you to discuss adapting the novel?"

Fang Minghua quickly changed the subject.

"Look at me! I almost forgot about this." Li Li took out a notebook from her small purse and handed it to Fang Minghua.

This novel was just published a few days ago, and a Hollywood director contacted me. I said that there is a ready-made script, but it will be up to you to decide after I come back from winter vacation.

Fang Minghua took the small notebook and saw that there were several directors' names written on it.

Richard Linklater, Nora Efron, Jerry Zucker.

Li Li also attached the resume and representative works of each director very considerately.

"He's the one!" Fang Minghua immediately spotted Jerry Zucker.

In history, he was the director of "Ghost".

Letting him shoot the film is of course the best choice.

"Lili, you can talk to him when you get to the United States. In addition, I have also joined the Writers Guild of America. You can also seek their help on my behalf."

Fang Minghua said: "As for the script purchase transaction, it requires a one-time cash payment, and no profit sharing. That's a pitfall!"