小说用正剧的手法，娴熟老道地叙述和描写了一个地级市的市委书记的生活，工作以及他对人与社会的思考，对当前的官场和民间都有深刻的反映。小说的突出价值在于表现了当下社会贫富间的矛盾，以及派生的少数干部贪污腐败，丧失民心等问题，并揭示了这一系列问题对社会形成的毁灭性隐患。同时通过小说主要人物的实践，提出和阐释了通过体制和机制改革，让干部和官员成为社会贫富间的天平，社会才能真正长治久安。这是一部不可多得的反映重大现实题材的佳作。This novel, in the form of serious drama, depicts the life and work of a secretary of party committee of a prefecture-level city and his thoughts on people and society in a skillful and sophisticated manner, with in-depth reflections on both the current governmental and non-governmental circles. The novel's outstanding value lies in that it portrays the conflicts between rich and poor in the society, and derivative problems including bribery and corruption of a minority of officials and loss of confidence from the people, and reveals the possible destructive effects of these problems on society. Also, through the practices of major characters of the novel, proposes and explains the fact that long-lasting stability is only possible when system and institutional reforms make cadres and officials balance the rich and poor of the society. It is a rare masterpiece reflecting major realities.