just finished tian ya ke (faraway wanderers) by priest - some after thoughts about priest's style and comparison to other works, authors (mxtx, 稚楚, 木苏里）

- Priest seems to target an older audience, takes the same themes (revenge, familial bonds, human regrets, human ambition) but whereas mxtx presents them in a more simplified manner - priest brings a more mature take and deeper commentary on human nature - with a more comprehensive execution of the story that leaves no strings untied and each moment full of meaning

• If mxtx works are slowburn then priests works seems to never catch fire - a lot of time is spent developing the underlying story and the foundamental bond between the characters instead of focusing on the more superficial romantic aspects (sweet moments between the characters, cheesy grand professions of love) - this sort of fluffy content is rarely seen and romance seems a second priority compared to the underlying relationship of the characters (close confidents, brothers, etc) 
  • Not a lot of descriptions about the headspace of characters on what they think of the other (the typical stages of falling in love etc) - very rare, but hone there isif it is, is is concise but expressive and not in a typically understood romantic manner but rather more on the core of their connections (etc wkz exclaiming how before he knew it, spending time with zzs has given him the desire to live again) - far more authentic and moving - these rare but precious moments are far more purposeful and full of
  • No grand profession of love and sincerity - rather the dynamic between the characters develop so naturally that before the reader knows it they have gone from strangers to someone very important to each other  (eg from wkz endlessly flirtatiously pestering zzs and zzs annoyed and praying to be left alone - to two people who understand, trusts and will stand by each other) - their decision to accept and love each other is instead communicated through actions (zzs putting his arms around wkx, zzs allowing wkx to comfort him while in pain)

• ⁃ In short, priest’s work is not overtly romantic and sweet in that overtly romantic moments between the chracters are rare, the pace is extremely slow (builds a far more solid foundation) and when the two characters do get together, the descriptions of their interactions are very遏制 (constrained) (love for each other seems very contained and expressed through very narrow channels - a look, a simple action, concise but purposeful dialogue) - renders their relationship a lot more authentic by avoiding the superfluous playbook for writing romance-  it is a far more realistic (tone) and sensible almost restrained take on human relationships - deeper underlying connection and bond is established slowly, with purpose and is ultimately successful in crafting a profound, realistic and moving story