"Life looks smooth and perfect. However, when looking underneath, one may find holes, cracks and misfit joints. I intend to do a justice to the incongruity of life in my stories," explains Liu who prefers to call all his novels "comedies" instead of "tragedies or tragic-comedies".

"For centuries, playwrights, writers, and scriptwriters are fond of writing about tragedies. But in my eyes, all tragedies are comedies," says Liu.

Readers may find Liu's short stories and novels characterized by a restrained, matter-of-fact narration that also conveys strong satire and humor. His compassion for ordinary people at grass-root level of society, his disgust with abused power, and the out-fashioned mentalities shines throughout.

The new novel has drawn mixed reviews from the readers. Some view the work "a long-winded story, sandwiched with self-satisfied social commentary, and psychoanalysis of the protagonists", while others praised the novel for its "relentless revelation of the bare truth of contemporary life, convincing depiction of the characters, and breathtaking, humorous narration". The Beijing-style language is colliqual and character names are borrowed from pop idols and classicals. Li Yuchun (Super Girls), pop legend Madonna and Green-faced beast Yang Zhi (Outlaw of the Marshes).

Han Sanping, head of China Film Group Corporation, is extremely confident about the appeal of Liu's new novel and has invested about 10 million yuan ($1.3 million), turning the book into a movie of the same title. It will open on Thursday .

"The movie appears more dramatic than the original novel. And the pace picks up quicker than the novel does," Liu admits, adding that director Ma Liwen only made use of part of his novel.

Liu is script-writer, producer and plays a bit role in the movie, directed by Ma, an emerging female director, whose poetic, cozy low-budget flick You and Me won awards at the 18th Tokyo Film Festival in 2005 and Chinese Golden Rooster Film Festival in 2006.

Over the years, Liu has collaborated with director Feng Xiaogang, arguably one of the most successful blockbuster-makers in China alongside Zhang Yimou. One of the most eye-catching and commercially successful co-operations between Feng and Liu is Cell Phone.

In Cell phone, TV anchor Yan Shouyi lies to his wife and friends, but is eventually betrayed by his cell phone. Raking in more than 50 million yuan in box office, Cell Phone, became the China box office champion of 2003. Based on the film script, Liu wrote a novel of the same title, which sold more than 300,000 copies.

"Everyone utters thousands of sentences a day. Only a few sentences are true, useful and meaningful. In other words, people's mouth betrays their heart. Cell Phone is to tackle this theme," he says.

Unlike many of his peers, Liu believes writing TV and film scripts can only help sharpen his skills and offers new angles of looking at life.

"Script writing is as challenging as novel writing. So is acting. As a novelist, I have indeed benefited a great deal from my experiences in the filmmaking sector," he says.

"A movie does not harm the original novel. Instead, it promotes people's awareness of your novels," he says.

"Did you notice that there are so many remakes of films based on good novels? In addition, usually people read the novels before watching the movies. I believe novel has a longer life span than movies. And you can read it anywhere you want," he says.

In Liu's view, watching a movie based on his novel is like eating spicy fast food but reading his original novel is like eating a rich feast.

"You need to slow down a little and pay attention to the refined taste. And after eating the meal, you could have a pleasant memory," he says.

Due to his active involvement in filmmaking, critics have labeled Liu a "commercial" novelist. However, Liu does not feel ashamed.

"Not so many Chinese writers can earn a descent living by writing short stories or novels today. If their works do not sell well, how could they survive as writers?" he says.

"Due to the lack of money, a writer can no longer pursue lofty goals in his literary career. I hope more and more writer will be commercially successful. It is a good thing for both writers and their fans."

(China Daily via china.org.cn November 26, 2007)