The Mountain Whisperer

An ancient funeral singer in a cave in China's interior tells the stories of four all-too-human souls whose struggles defined an era, from a soldier to a peasant to a revolutionary to a politician. Their tragedies interweave to retell the forging of the Peoples Republic from turbulent birth to absurd reversal.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 544 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2023
Publisher: ACA Publishing Limited

In a remote cave nestled within the ancient mountains of China's desolate interior, an elderly funeral singer prepares to depart from this world. As he lies on his deathbed, he finds solace in the knowledge that his life's work has touched the lives of countless villagers, and that his four tragic tales will endure as a testament to the human condition.

The first tale is that of a soldier, a man who has fought in countless battles and witnessed the horrors of war. Despite his experiences, he remains a loyal servant to his country and a defender of its people. However, his loyalty is tested when he is ordered to execute a young peasant who has dared to speak out against the government. The soldier's conscience weighs heavily upon him, and he ultimately chooses to disobey his orders and save the peasant's life.

The second tale is that of a peasant, a hardworking man who has struggled to make ends meet in a society that is ruled by the wealthy. Despite his efforts, he remains poor and oppressed, and his dreams of a better life seem distant. One day, he meets a revolutionary who promises to bring about change and justice to the people. The peasant joins the revolution, and together they fight against the oppressive government. However, their efforts are met with resistance, and the peasant is eventually killed in the struggle.

The third tale is that of a revolutionary, a man who has dedicated his life to the cause of freedom and equality. He believes that the only way to achieve these goals is through violence and revolution. He leads a group of rebels who take on the government, and they fight with courage and determination. However, their efforts are ultimately unsuccessful, and the revolutionary is killed in the battle.

The fourth tale is that of a politician, a man who has been elected to lead his country. He is a charismatic leader who promises to bring prosperity and peace to the people. However, his promises are empty, and he is corrupt and self-serving. He uses his power to enrich himself and his friends, and he ignores the needs of the people.

As the four tragedies unfold, the cracked lips of the dying sage conjure a stark vision: a retelling of the forging of the People's Republic – from turbulent birth to absurd reversal – whispered from its uncharted margins. The soldier's disobedience, the peasant's struggle, the revolutionary's violence, and the politician's corruption all contribute to the creation of a society that is plagued by injustice and suffering.

In the end, the dying sage realizes that his life's work has been in vain. He has witnessed the suffering of countless people, and he has failed to bring about the change that he had hoped for. However, he also realizes that his legacy will live on, and that his stories will continue to inspire generations to come.

As the sun sets over the mountains, the dying sage takes his final breath and joins the ancestors in the afterlife. His voice echoes through the cave, and his stories continue to resonate with those who hear them. The four tragedies that he has witnessed have shaped the history of China, and they will continue to shape the future of the world.

Weight: 524g
Dimension: 142 x 217 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781910760697
Edition number: 2 ed