Ren Yu (left) at his book signing Photo: Courtesy of Beijing Yanshan Press

Chinese writer Ren Yu hosted a round-table talk in Beijing with writers Ji Wenjun, Li Hao and producer Gao Boyang about his new book Furnace, published by Beijing Yanshan Press. 

Ren said that there was a period he felt depressed and at that time found writing as an outlet for him to express his inner thoughts, hence he became a writer. For the new book, he said he was inspired by the idea that the internet and reality have brought about people's different ideas about identity. "Many people wish to become rich or powerful, instead of becoming someone like themselves through their own efforts. It will be a horrible thing if you find the shortcut to success just as it said in the new book," he said, who thinks feelings of unease are something that his book would deliver to the readers. As a new upcoming writer, Ren writes out of his instincts and expresses some feelings in the most natural way. 

Ji commented that Ren has a special talent, keeping sensitivity out of instincts to changes in the society.