Collected Works of Liu Xinwu, in eight volumes, was published in 1993. As of the beginning of 2005, his diverse kinds of writings in different editions published both in China and overseas have surpassed 130.

  Writer, as well as a jack-of-all-trades

Liu Xinwu is a writer with an amazing wide range of interests. Football, or soccer, has been a fervent hobby for him, while at the same time he once wrote Long Camera Lens on May 19. Liu, as one of the first writers to write on the computer, still does not understand why others hate writing on the computer so much. He likes drawing, and even once participated in a painting exhibition. Liu has also written two books on construction -- both with good sales.

Nowadays people can usually find Liu Xinwu drawing in the brooks and fields. Liu cultivated an interest in painting from childhood, and his parents were very proud of him for his gift. When guests came to their house, his parents usually asked Liu to paint for them. There was one time he drew a painting for a guest, who patted his head and praised his work. But when the guest left, Liu watched through the window and saw the guest ball up the painting and throw it away. Although a big blow for the young heart, it did not alter his interest in painting.

At middle school, Liu liked to draw the Temple of Heaven and Beihai Park. Later he drew some ancient constructions like the Four Decorated Archways. Now, he prefers to paint in the fields on nice days, and also has begun to illustrate his own books.

However, Liu's best-known "spare time hobby" is construction. Construction and Environment in My Eyes was very influential in the construction circle, and has been printed five times. The other book -- The Beauty of Material --, which talks about the raw construction materials, has also sold well. In his novel Bell and Drum Towers, there is a 10-page description about the environment, shape, structure, and details of Beijing's quadrangles. His scrutinized observations and nifty use of construction glossary are very impressive.

Liu has been living in Beijing since he was eight years old. In his more than half a century stay in Beijing, he has lived in ancient hutongs half the time. He has witnessed the dramatic changes of the city, including some of its destruction. As a resident of the ancient city, he once expected someone to stand out and raise the problems concerning the changing constructions and environment, but no one did. So Liu decided to say it himself, and for many years he has, with dignity and grace.

Author: Jeff

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