Changing Fate

Changing Fate is the first full-length documentary novel by a now-retired amateur writer, once a passionate young man who, more than forty years ago, left the army hoping to make a living as a cobbler. It is a work he created using “the gifts life has given him.” The novel begins with Qi Dequan, an old farmer, and follows the lives of his four sons and daughters-in-law. With his third son, Qi Chuanren, as the central figure, it interweaves the characters’ lives and emotions. Through Qi Chuanren’s many experiences, from being tempered in the army and teaching in the classroom to pursuing self-study exams, seeking opportunities in the city, and entering the world of journalism, the novel paints an intimate portrait of ordinary lives. As people confront a world in turmoil, material hardship, and confusion of the heart, they struggle and strive through adversity, pursuing their dreams and love. In doing so, it vividly traces the unforgettable moments etched into the consciousness and fates of these characters during more than two decades of social transformation, from the Reform and Opening-Up era to the new millennium. These are ordinary people “born in the countryside, living in the city,” tirelessly seeking to “change their fate.” In the lives of people between city and countryside, some seize their opportunities and thrive, while others fall to the bottom because of a single mistaken choice. Their experiences become vivid scenes of everyday life. If you’ve ever traveled back and forth between city and countryside, you may see your own reflection in their stories.