NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

Youth, Mother and Son, and Spiritual Struggle in a Changing World. Diablo’s Boys is a dark, introspective novel set in contemporary Beijing that delves into the spiritual struggles and arrested development of youth in a rapidly changing society. At its core, the novel explores the complex bond between mother and son, focusing on Suwei, a 15-year-old autistic boy who spends his days immersed in the video game Diablo II as a means of escaping his sheltered and emotionally isolated world, controlled by his overprotective mother, Mrs. Luo. The second narrative thread introduces Li Wen, hired as Suwei’s tutor, who brings with him his own mysterious past and unresolved struggles. The novel further explores generational conflict, identity, and the emotional stasis experienced by the characters. In this sense, the novel reveals the inability to grow, not only due to personal trauma but also because of the rapid changes in the world and society. These challenges—parent-child relationships, bullying, loneliness, desire, power, violence, greed, education misalignments, and more—are not only Chinese issues but global ones. The novel also tackles controversial topics, such as IVF and homosexuality, which challenge traditional Chinese views on marriage and love. It encourages readers to reflect on multiculturalism and guide children’s healthy growth through understanding and love, offering hope in the face of despair. People are unable to adapt, leaving them both distorted and fragile, with their escape into isolation being a direct reflection of being trapped in this turmoil. (Shanxi Library)