Even though major bookstores in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu had more visitors inquiring about books on Ba Jin, the younger generation's response to his death is mixed.

"My classmates and I seldom take Ba Jin as our topic," said Wang Shaoyou, a junior student at Peking University.

To him, the writers of the old generation like Ba Jin are rarely mentioned these days "when burgeoning writers with their vanguard works" fill the book market.

Even young people need to relax, Wang said. They wouldn't like to read these "thick books involving time-consuming reading and necessary background knowledge."

"We have so much pressure, and that's probably why we don't read Ba Jin's works, " Wang said.

When asked who Ba Jin was, nine out of 10 of Liu Shuang's students at Jinsong No 1 Middle School knew he was a writer.

But Liu said few of them know more than his name.

"Probably the youth or readers today don't appreciate his narrative style and expressive format, but his unique value is not replaceable." said Wen Rumin, dean of Department of Chinese at Peking University.

If they can immerse themselves in Ba Jin's books, Wen said he believes they will be able to connect with Ba Jin, since "the enthusiasm for ideals and youth is the same."

Wen also criticized the young people for reading fewer books. "They are more practical and less ready to fight for their dreams," Wen said. "It's not good."

In the latest version of the high school textbooks already published, he said Ba Jin's "Family" is one of the most important books that are recommended to students for reading after class.

Chen Jiangong, the curator from the National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature, said the best way to encourage the young to read Ba Jin's books is to employ digital or audio-and-visual technology.

"It will build a bridge between the classic literary works and contemporary youth," Chen said.