Differing greatly from Yuan Hongbing's other works, the literary style of Back to The Desolation is light and buoyant. The prose throughout the entire book reads like a poem, setting another landmark in Chinese writing.

This book reveals the depravation of the human soul under communist rule and the despair felt by those who still wish to lead a noble life. It discusses the degeneration of the contemporary intellectual community, as well as human pursuit of love, truth, and freedom. In a world full of material desires, Back to the Desolate is a breath of refreshingly crisp air. With incredible elegance, the author uses the Chinese language to near perfection, fully unleashing the captivating power of true and everlasting love.