This book is a collection of highly avant-garde short stories by Shi Tiesheng, originally titled "Short Stories 1 or 4," and is considered a classic work in which he explores the essence of fate and the meaning of existence. Composed of four interconnected short stories—"The Edge," "The Part," "The Composition," and "All Beings"—the book is not entirely coherent, but all revolve around questioning the randomness and decisiveness of fate, and the human predicament. The writing style continues Shi Tiesheng's consistent sensitivity and profundity, using a detached and incisive approach to dissect the bewilderment and quest for answers in the face of absurd destiny, carrying his eternal reflections on the meaning of life.
本书是史铁生创作的极具先锋性的中短篇小说，原篇名《中篇1或短篇4》，也是史铁生探索命运本质与存在意义的经典之作。本书由《边缘》《局部》《构成》《众生》四篇关联短篇组成，并非浑然一体，却均围绕命运的偶然性与决定性、人性困境等展开叩问。文风延续史铁生一贯的细腻与深刻，以冷峻的笔触，剖析人在荒诞命运中的迷惘与求索，承载着他对为何活着的永恒思考。
本书是史铁生创作的极具先锋性的中短篇小说，原篇名《中篇1或短篇4》，也是史铁生探索命运本质与存在意义的经典之作。本书由《边缘》《局部》《构成》《众生》四篇关联短篇组成，并非浑然一体，却均围绕命运的偶然性与决定性、人性困境等展开叩问。文风延续史铁生一贯的细腻与深刻，以冷峻的笔触，剖析人在荒诞命运中的迷惘与求索，承载着他对为何活着的永恒思考。
