The publication of Big River, Big Sea and 2009's surge in interest in the events of 1949 brought Chang back into the public consciousness. Many people in their late middle years recalled having read Horses and Foot Soldiers in middle or high school. The book had been a bestseller and virtual household name in the 1980s.
因為《大江大海》，張拓蕪隨著 2009 年的 1949 浪潮重返人們的記憶，許多「後中年」想起他們初中、高中時候讀過的《代馬輸卒手記》，這可是 1980 年代家喻戶曉的暢銷書呢！