This episodic novel, told in the vivid jianghu style of Shan Tianfang, paints a sweeping portrait of the rise and fall of crosstalk over the past century. It follows Zhang Sanlu in the late Qing dynasty as he breaks free from the constraints of the octagonal drum and founds a new school, and Zhu Shaowen as he performs “writing with scattered sand” on the Tianqiao streets, passing on his craft. The “Eight Virtues of Crosstalk” win fame through their contests in the teahouses of Beijing and Tianjin. Amid the flames of the War of Resistance, performers use laughter as a weapon to secretly spread patriotism; after the founding of New China, Hou Baolin and others reform and purify the stage. From the golden age of Spring Festival Gala crosstalk in the 1980s, to Deyunshe’s revival of tradition and the heated debate it sparks across the industry, and on to diverse experiments such as crosstalk plays and online crosstalk, the book captures it all. Alongside the hardships of street performers and the rivalries and grudges between schools, it reveals the performers’ integrity in troubled times and their courage to forge new paths through change. Every page showcases the essence of “speaking, imitating, teasing, and singing,” recounts the legendary lives of masters from different generations, including Ma Sanli, Hou Baolin, and Ma Ji, and explores the enduring question of how crosstalk can preserve its traditions while continuing to innovate amid the tides of change.
It's well said. It can tell the origin of cross talk, and it also has a bit of cross talk flavor.
For those who like cross talk. You can see the development process of cross talk in this book. It's really great!
Lifelike, clear structure, super beautiful