Synopsis of "Riding the Train":
A Tuo, A Hua, and A Chao are three children who move with their families to a small mountain ravine called Huajiang.
Living amid the mountains, by the river, and in the forest, the children grow up happily in the peaceful natural surroundings. Along the way, their families and educated youth friends teach them how to hop freight trains.
One day, while riding a train to a nearby small city to buy popsicles, they are robbed by local thugs. After a fight, the police rescue them and take them home.
A Hua's uncle is a martial arts expert with extraordinary skills, and he begins teaching all three children kung fu.
After leaving Huajiang, A Hua becomes a famous young fighter in Desheng Town. During their various adventures, he develops a feud with his neighbor Lai Zi. Lai Zi's father was one of the men who ambushed A Hua's father years ago.
In pursuit of his artistic ambitions, A Chao loses a leg in an accident while hopping a train, leaving him disabled for life.
As for A Tuo, while studying, he becomes childhood friends with Yun. When Lai Zi bullies Yun, A Tuo steps in and, with A Hua's help, ventures into the lion's den to go after Lai Zi.
Centered on the coming-of-age journeys of young people and set against a backdrop of sweeping changes, the story portrays the joys and sorrows of a group of ordinary people from a distinctive community.
Hard times can still give rise to extraordinary lives. Growing up doesn't happen all at once; it is shaped by one remarkable coincidence after another. Together, these moments make up a long realist novel whose first-person narration lends the story even greater authenticity.
The book is divided into two volumes, recreating the childhood and youth of an entire generation.
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