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Short Fiction ~ C.J Anderson-Wu

​                     Honourable Mention - Strands International Flash Fiction Competition -5 

Opinions for the Committee of Publication Examination
 
Date: 1978/Nov/11
Reviewer Code: M1010
This is a historical novel with a background of the French Revolution and how people from the bottom rungs of society rose up to overturn the monarchy. However, in a time when the threat of the communist regimes is so tense as it is today, our priority must be to enforce the social order. Thus I cannot suggest publishing such a book that in no way helps our crucial mission of stomping out the persistent and existential threat of global communism.
 
Date: 1978/Nov/12
Reviewer Code: M1021
This fiction is about low lifes, hobos, whores, and shoplifters not to mention the fact that is filled with a string of vulgar vocabulary. I don’t see any merit in this work. It will rot the mentality of the already decadent public, and wear down their will to have a more uplifting life and contribute more to their country.
 
Date: 1978/Nov/14
Reviewer Code: M2221
This is an outstanding work with very high artistic merit. All the leading characters and their situations draw references to identifiable characters in our contemporary society. Through these extremely marginalized people, the author cleverly leads the readers to see the dilemma and wisdom of life and the inequality between social classes. I give it five stars and hope to see its success in the publishing market.
 
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The  secretary finished typing the report from the previous week and stamped the conclusion marking the fate of this novel: BANNED. Even without the real identities of these reviewers, she knew very well who they were. The code M1010 was that of a literature professor who showed little passion in literature. His opinions were usually worthless. The code M1021 referred to a reporter from the newspaper founded by the ruling party who knew more about propaganda than journalism. And the code M2221 indicated a self-made essayist and a real literature critic but one whose contributions were hardly recognized. He was included as a reviewer for the fake diversity of the Committee.
 
She collected her stuff and called it a day from work. When she walked through the night market near her home to find some food for dinner, she checked at the back of a general stall of cheap products, where piles of used or unsold books like comics, fashion magazines and romantic stories were for sale. Beside the wall, a pile of unauthorized copies of the book she just reported were advertised as: “Newly Banned!” And the price was doubled from the previous week.

C.J. Anderson-Wu is a Taiwanese writer. Her writing focuses on political injustice and historical traumas. 
In 2017 she published her collection of short stories "Impossible to Swallow", a book about the White Terror in Taiwan during the period of Martial Law.

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