Insights into Human Nature and Character of the Epic through the Lens of Food

Abstract

Ge Liang’s full-length novel Food Is Heaven depicts the legendary lives of figures such as Master Rong Yisheng, Uncle Wuju, the Seventh Young Master Xiang Xikun, and many others, in over 400,000 words. Generally speaking, Food Is Heaven is a fictional work using imaginary characters as its protagonists. However, its hidden interplay with important historical events from the 20th century onwards is an undeniable fact. These non-fictional elements employed by Ge Liang are part of his artistic strategy of achieving literary authenticity in Food Is Heaven. The incorporation of major historical figures and events into artistic fiction highlights a certain “epic” quality in the narrative which emerges out of its full engagement with historical essence and historical facts.

Keywords

Ge Liang / Food Is Heaven / epic

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