With dozens of novels, essays, short stories and translations, Mr. Ba established himself decades ago as one of China's greatest modern writers. Along with Lu Xun, Mao Dun and Lao She, he helped describe and define modern China's awakening and upheaval early in the 20th century.

I remember vaguely as a child (or maybe the memory is constructed) that I saw the television redition of "Family". It was the scene where the youngest child leaves home behind and sails up river. However the significance eluded me then and it was not until last year, when I actually read the novel that all the parts connected.

Let this be a homeage to this literary giant.