The Age of Primary Colors

The Primary Colors Era consists of three volumes: red, yellow, and blue. Volume One is “The Sorghum Turned Red,” Volume Two is “The Apricots Turned Yellow,” and Volume Three is “The Lake Water Is Truly Blue.” Drawing on the lives of three generations of the Ma family in Yonggu Village on the banks of the Yellow River, the novel depicts typical events that took place in an ordinary village there during the last century. It gives a vivid portrayal of the heartbreak and helplessness of ordinary people on this disaster-stricken land. Structured around the passage of time, Volume One begins in the modern era, while Volumes Two and Three span the modern and contemporary periods. The story selects representative events, using small details to illuminate the wider society. Its narration is concise and highly readable.