Without a drop of sentimentality, the writer guides the reader through memorable scenes from her childhood. Word by word, her memories turn into a journey, woven with human destinies. Everyday sketches become a drama about banality, inevitability, and hope.

The writer's prose resonates with the emotional experiences of every individual. Her writing style is as unique and modern as it is light, effortless, and transparent.

The author presents a gallery of female and male portraits, diverse in age, social, and family status, although mostly ordinary «simple» people. The space of women's and girls' existence, as described by the writer, is particularly bleak. She herself once said: «The greatest pain and tragedy of my life is that I am a woman.»

Xiao Hong's writing raises questions about meanings and values, doing so not always in a comfortable way, as it illuminates what can be uncomfortable and unattractive. But Xiao Hong still offers hope. She tells the reader: though life may be bitter, it is worth it.