Yes, I am the daughter mentioned in the question

That day, Mom warned me that your favorite author, Mo Yan, has been expelled from the Writers' Association. People are saying he "worships and flatters foreigners" and that his writing is "vulgar." You should probably read less of his books.

I originally wanted to explain things for Mo Yan and myself, but as soon as I started to speak, I couldn't help but cry, so I retreated to my room and asked this question on Zhihu from my mother's perspective.

After some time, I logged into Zhihu and found many older users had taken the time to seriously answer my questions. I am truly grateful for your respect and care. I didn't expect to be treated as an equal on the Internet. When I saw the responses, I couldn't help but cry. The feeling of being understood is so warm, thank you!

I would like to discuss my thoughts on this matter in detail and also respond to some of the answers.

When I was 15 and in high school, I began reading Mo Yan. Prior to that, I had always enjoyed reading a wide variety of books. My mother was very supportive of my reading habit and often praised me to others for my love of books and classics.

She told other parents that we should support our children in reading any books they choose, as this will help them develop a broad perspective and think independently

But she isn't entirely like that with me. I understand that adults can be inconsistent and value their reputation. So I don't judge my own mother.

My mom has reminded me twice to read less of Mo Yan's books, giving similar reasons each time. However, I'm not one to follow orders, so I'll keep reading the books I enjoy, including those by Mo Yan.

As information becomes more advanced, so-called experts and public opinion often push controversial figures into the spotlight. Perhaps we should develop our own thinking and critical analysis skills, avoid following the crowd, and refrain from blindly conforming. It's important to gain firsthand experience before making judgments.

This is why I hold back from getting too immersed in Douyin, Zhihu, and Xiaohongshu. I'm afraid that one day I'll end up like my mom, losing my ability to think independently and becoming easily swayed by others' opinions.

In my memory, my mother is a strong, independent woman who loves reading. I grew up in a single-parent household, always relying on her, far from the sheltered and traditionally conservative environment. I am deeply grateful for her teachings on how to treat people and handle situations, which have shaped me into who I am today. I hope she can respect my ideas, not only to change her bias against Mo Yan but also to rediscover her true self. (These are ideal scenarios. In reality, with my mother approaching menopause and both of us being very busy with work and studies, we rarely have peaceful conversations anymore. I plan to wait until after I start college to have a proper discussion with her and encourage her to read more.)

I believe books can be good or bad, but they shouldn't be judged as high or low, noble or humble. I've never felt superior because I enjoy reading so-called classics by Mo Yan. Rest assured, I will grow up healthily and maintain my passion for words and dedication to my interests. Other people's opinions might not be as important as they seem. I am 17 years old and consider myself an independent person. The future world will be explored through my eyes, so there's no need to feel sorry for me.

On why I enjoy Mo Yan: His writing is captivating, evoking deep and weighty thoughts rather than the hollow feeling one gets from finishing a light web novel. It’s very thought-provoking, and I often find myself pondering harsh realities when I have free time, hahaha. This might be my way of understanding the world.

  I hope everyone will communicate with me and offer suggestions

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  I didn't expect so many people to be interested in this Q&A

  Thank you for your encouragement and support.

Some people are concerned that Mo Yan's novels might make me radical and angry, but I'll take this as a caution. In reality, I maintain a clear distinction between life and literature. I find comfort and solace in reading, but I still focus on learning, sleeping, eating, and having fun in my daily life.

Some people question Mo Yan's skill and whether I can appreciate or understand his novels, but I don't think that's very important. What matters is that there are still many people sharing their views on literature and engaging in discussions about different aesthetics and worldviews, like a hundred flowers blooming.

Additionally, please refrain from personal attacks on my mother. Let's stick to the issue at hand, and I will remove any negative comments.

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  Over the past two days, I've noticed that many comments have been deleted, but I didn't delete them

  The question has been updated; you can find the original in the highly upvoted answer

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  A few days ago, for my birthday, a good friend gave me a card

This post is to commemorate my rebellious spirit at 17. A year later, after the college entrance exam, I don't want to go back home to my family, even though I love them. I don't want to keep draining my emotions. I will work hard to move out in college!

Suddenly, I thought of a joke. A journalist interviewed Mo Yan, saying that the torture described in his book is too graphic and violent, and they couldn't bring themselves to read more after a few pages.

Mo Yan smiled and replied, I know you haven't read this book, as the scene describing the sandalwood punishment is in the latter part of the book.

  Since you are a journalist, this is part of your job.

  It's difficult to grasp the full scope of something before making an evaluation.

Just like this person, he only sees the filth of "a woman and seven or eight men having children" and overlooks the pervasive darkness of the feudal era.