Chinese writer and author Chen Zhongshi has passed away Friday morning in Xi'an, Shaanxi province at age 73.
Chen was born in Xi'an in June 1942 and began his career in writing in 1965, writing prose before going into making his first book. His masterpiece 'White Deer Plain' was officially published in 1993 and through this book, he won the coveted Mao Dun Literature Prize in 1997. Both fans and critics stress that the book exemplified Chinese contemporary history and reflected how the Chinese countryside changed for the past half-century.
According to Chen, "If this novel can arouse the interest of readers and help them to gain a real sense of the history it relates and of the background against which contemporary China walks, I will feel totally satisfied."
Since the book was released, it has sold 1.6 million copies and has been translated in both opera, stage drama, dance drama, sculptures and even film. In 2010, for instance, the live movie adaptation of the novel was released starting Chinese stars Zhang Fengyi, Duan Yihong and Zhang Yuqi. The film was also an entrant to the 62nd Berliin International Film Festival and the film had won the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Achievement in photography.
The book is also currently listed by the Chinese Ministry of Education as a must-read title for university student.
Aside from writing, Chen was also a member of the Chinese Writers Association in 1979 and became its vice chairman from 2001 to 2006.
