This is a documentary-style novel about surviving at the bottom of society. It follows Li Tiezhu from age sixteen to forty-two, spanning twenty-six years and touching on construction sites, pyramid schemes, underground banks, family, love, and more. It tells the story of an ordinary man’s struggle, downfall, awakening, and rebirth in modern society. This is not an inspirational story, but a survival manual on “how to live with the mire.”
“The Survival Philosophy of the Mire” depicts the struggles, mutual aid, and alienation of those at the bottom as they navigate the cracks in the rules, exploring the eternal conflict between dignity, morality, and survival.
"Trees can't grow in the swamp, but grass can grow. Grass won't change the world, but it can make the swamp look less hopeless."