Someone to Talk To, featuring lesser-known actors and actresses, will premiere in China on Nov 11, a day marked in the country as Singles' Day.(Photo provided to China Daily)
The novel has been translated into more than 20 languages, including English, French and German.
It has received 8.6 points out of 10 on the review site Douban.com, and many viewers say they relate to the protagonists.
"It (the novel) tells a truth: It talks of how difficult it is for a person to find someone who can understand him or her," says the 58-year-old writer, who is also the scriptwriter of the movie.
"Such an inner struggle is universal. Similar characters can be found all around the world, as well as their love and their hatred."
Meanwhile, though most of Liu's novels have been turned into films by veteran filmmaker Feng Xiaogang, this time the award-winning author chose to work with a young person.
Liu Yulin, Liu's New York University-educated daughter, persuaded her father and he agreed.
Recalling the phone conversation that won him over, Liu says his daughter's answers about "how one can be a good director" satisfied him.
