
A frantic journal opens under a bright moon, where the narrator, long estranged from his school friends, returns home only to confront a world that feels hostile and absurd. He describes eerie encounters with villagers, a menacing dog, and whispered conspiracies, all filtered through a voice that mixes genuine anxiety with bewildering, disjointed observations. The prose captures his growing belief that everyone around him—neighbors, children, even his own brother—are part of a secret plot, turning everyday interactions into threats.
As the entries unfold, the narrator’s language becomes increasingly fragmented, reflecting a mind teetering between reality and paranoia. He fixates on the grotesque notion that society feeds on its own, using the metaphor of cannibalism to expose the cruelty hidden beneath polite façades. This unsettling diary invites listeners into a claustrophobic interior, where fear and absurdity intertwine, offering a stark critique of social oppression through the eyes of a man slipping into madness.
Language
zh
Duration
~6 minutes (6K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2008-05-02
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1881–1936
Best known by the pen name Lu Xun, he helped shape modern Chinese literature with sharp, memorable stories that challenged social injustice and old habits of thought. His work is still widely read for its clear voice, dark wit, and deep sympathy for ordinary people.
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