This is a Collection of the eight best short stories written by the young author Wang Wen-shih between 1956 and 1958. They are about the new things, new personalities and the new spirit in rural China since the movement for agricultural co-operation. The new personalities include the district Party secretary who went the rounds inspecting the work of co-operation in a snowstorm late at night; the village handicraftsman who was so absorbed in technical reform that he torgot to eat or sleep; intellectuals who took part in rural work; middle peasants who, influenced by advanced ideas, began to break away from their leanings towards private ownership; old grannie who loved the co-op as if it were her own home; and the hard-working, self-effacing stock-breeder.
In all these stories the author eulogizes the socialist initiative and wisdom of the peasants and the fine and noble qualities of the advanced personalities. The stories are told vividly while the characters are outstanding and true to life.