He was known for combining the vernacular style with classical chinese writing techniques. By presenting the best literary criticism on shen congwen in mainland china over the past 80 years, and views of how shen congwen has been understood, interpreted, and appreciated in japan, the us, and europe, the editors propose a new way to approach the topics of canonic writers. This volume is about studies of shen congwen 19021988, one of the most important writers in modern china, but more importantly, it is about how shen congwen has been received in and beyond mainland china. Originally published in 1934 by author shen congwen, this beautifully written novel tells the story of cuicui, a young.
He was denounced during the cultural revolution and then forgotten, but rediscovered in the 1980s and would have become chinas first recipient of the nobel prize in literature if only hed lived a few more months. Download and read online the odyssey of shen congwen ebooks in pdf, epub, tuebl mobi, kindle book. A moving testament to the human spirit, border town is a beautifully written novel, considered shen congwens masterpiece for its brilliant portrayal of chinese rural life before the communist revolution. After her mothers death, cuicui and her grandfather, a ferryman, lead a quiet life transporting passengers across a small stream near the. Border town by professor congwen shen, jeffrey c kinkley. Shen congwen 19021988 is one of chinas most renowned modern writers. The story opens in a chinese rural region during the precommunist revolution. The novel depicts the story of a teenage girl named cuicui in small outskirts of a. This story is about the old ferryman and his granddaughter cuicuis love story. Sep 04, 2009 september 26 through october 3 this year is banned books week. Very minimal damage to the cover including scuff marks, but no holes or tears.
The symbolized countryfolks in shen congwens the border. Dec 05, 2016 border town is a chinese novel written by shen congwen. He uses classical chinese writing techniques in a vernacular style. Some of his works translated into english are the chinese earth, the border town, and other stories, imperfect paradise, and recollections of west hunan. But cuicui is also haunted by the imminent death of her grandfather, a. Shes spellbound by the local custom of nighttime serenades, and she is deftly pursued by two eligible brothers.
Some call the work implicitly daoist, but shen and his generation of writers in principle scorned chinas old philosophies. Congwen shen, new in the harper perennial modern chinese classics series, border town is a classic chinese novelbanned by maos regimethat captures the ideals of rural china through the moving story of a young woman and her grandfather. Collections of his stories published in english include the chinese earth 1947. The border town portrays the people and customs of a corner of shangrila, and humanizes, if not romanticizes nature and the country folk who are living in. New in the harper perennial modern chinese classics series, border town is a classic chinese novel banned by mao s regime that captures the ideals of rural china through the moving story of a young woman and her grandfather. Border town a grieve and beautiful idyll of western hunan, selected works of shen congwen, collectors edition published december 1st 2015 by jiangsu peoples publishing house.
Hence the importance of the recent release in france of the journey to xiang and other short stories1 that illustrates the talent of the writer in various styles. When a flood carries away the landing and marks the death. Get free the odyssey of shen congwen textbook and unlimited access to our library by created an account. His best works portrays the conditions and social customs of the minority nationality region in the border of hunan and guizhou tang, p. Border town by shen congwen, translated by jeffrey c. His novel border town was banned under maos regime, only to become an inspiration to a new generation of chinese writers in the late twentieth century. Shen congwen, bian cheng, border town, frontier city, translation, dialect, west. Border town by shen congwen and love in a fallen city by eileen chang innocence and justice.
Regional culture and identity plays a much bigger role in his writing than that of other major early modern chinese writers. Border townshen congwen 20090901 new in the harper. Border town is a chinese novel written by shen congwen. Readers not only see rural china, they also hear it the pounding of drums during the dragon boat festival, the amorous ballads exchanged between young lovers and the songs the ferryman and cuicui sing together in this vivid window into chinas past. The border town is perfect not only in subject, but in style and form as well. Border town bian cheng, a modern pastoral published in 1934, is his masterpiece.
On chapter three for ten years and more, the local military commander at chapter four. With his beautiful brush strokes which combinns lyrics and essays, shen congwen portrays human relationships, customs and nature in the 1930s in western hunan and shows the goodness of human nature and. This thesis has been submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for a. Kinkley contents foreword chapter one an old imperial highway running east from sichuan into hunan chapter two chadong was built between the river and the mountains. The comparison of characters from shen congwen and huang chunmings works i love yours for white people by lac su buddism. Border town shen congwen 20090901 new in the harper. The odyssey of shen congwen ebook pdf download and read. Originally published in 1934 by author shen congwen, this beautifully written novel tells the story of cuicui, a. The novel depicts the story of a teenage girl named cuicui in small outskirts of a village. May 04, 2018 a tale of crime and punishment from shen congwen translated by jeffrey kinkley during a year in the reign of the guangxu emperor, 1875 1908.
So how fitting that i was lucky enough to receive border town, the precommunist revolution masterpiece by shen congwen 19021988, who although virtually unknown in the west, is considered one of chinas best modern writers. This movie has received an honor award in the 9th canada montreal international film festival and the. Shen congwen is one of pioneers of modern chinese literature, and with border town one of his most famous books, it is easy to see why. Sep 15, 2009 shen congwen 19021988 is one of the most influential writers in chinas modern history. His border town, banned under maos regime, inspired the new generation of chinese writers in the latetwentieth century, and was named the best novel in yazhou zhoukan s 1999 list of 100 best works of literature of 20th century china. The symbolized countryfolks in shen congwens the border town. A moving testament to the human spirit, border town is a beautifully written novel, considered shen congwen s masterpiece for its brilliant portrayal of chinese rural life before the communist revolution. New in the harper perennial modern chinese classics series, border town. Sep 01, 2009 shen congwen 19021988 is one of the most influential writers in chinas modern history. Horses were being raced in this little county town, across parade grounds drenched by the sun in shimmering yellow. Border town chinese edition by shen congwen 9787537839983. Aug 26, 2019 the book is regarded as shen congwen s masterpiece for its splendid portrayal of chinese rural life.
His family is a blend of the dominant han population and the miao and tujia minorities in the beautiful region. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. The border town and other stories congwen shen snippet view. It vividly describes the landscape of the remote border. Shen congwen 28 december 1902 10 may 1988, formerly romanized as shen tsungwen, is considered to be one of the greatest modern chinese writers, on par with lu xun. Originally published in 1934 by author shen congwen, this beautifully written novel tells the story of cuicui, a young country girl who is coming of age in rural. Read border town online by shen congwen and jeffrey c. Dec 20, 2020 border town by shen, congwen, 2009, harper perennial edition, paperback in english. Shen congwen 19021988 is one of the most influential writers in chinas modern history. Classics series, border town is a classic chinese novelbanned by maos. Dec 05, 2016 he uses classical chinese writing techniques in a vernacular style. Shen congwen is one of chinas most renowned modern writers. A novel 9780061436918 by shen congwen and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Shen congwen is one of the greatest chinese writers of the prewar period.
First published in 1934, border town brings to life the story of cuicui, a young country girl coming of age during a time of national turmoil. Congwen writes movingly of rural china in this newly. It tells a story about a border town which has little connection with outside world in the early republic of china. Classics series, border town is a classic chinese novel banned by maos. Dec 21, 2020 shen congwen was an author of the people, writing about everyday life in rural villages and peppering his stories with regional flavor. Border town 9780061959233, 9780061959233 vitalsource. Originally published in 1934 by author shen congwen, this beautifully written novel tells the story of cuicui, a young country girl who is coming of age in rural china in the tumultuous time before the communist revolution. New in the harper perennial modern chinese classics series, border town is a classic chinese novelbanned by maos regimethat captures the ideals of rural china through the moving story of a young woman and her grandfather. This coming of age novel has been adapted for a chinese film as well. Fast and free shipping free returns cash on delivery available on eligible purchase. It is the story of a chinese girl and her grandfather who live near a town named caodong in the early part of the twentieth century. Like any teenager, cuicui dreams of romance and finding true love. Border town hp pro display p17a, 17 1280x1024 tn led super xga 5.
Shen congwen and his wife zhang zhaohe were married in 1933, shen congwen and zhang zhaohe had two sons after their marriage. Meanwhile men in military garb, outfitted in all the colors of the rainbow, gathered before the martial demonstration hall to. Kinkley overview new in the harper perennial modern chinese classics series, border town is a classic chinese novelbanned by maos regimethat captures the ideals of rural china through the moving story of a young woman and her grandfather. In his novel the border town, shen congwen shows the pursuit of the ideal form of life through an unsophisticated and complicated love story. Shen congwen is a chinese writer formerly romanized as shen read full article.
A book that has been read but is in good condition. Border town a novel shen congwen translated by jeffrey c. Shen congwen has 45 books on goodreads with 2969 ratings. Originally published in 1934 by author shen congwen, this beautifully written novel tells the story of cuicui, a young country girl who is coming of age in rural china. Countryside in shen congwen s xiaxiao, border town and mo yans red sorghum literature. Border town was first published in 1934, and 85 years later, a literary event about shen congwen was held at the penghao theater in beijing on august 25. Save up to 80% by choosing the etextbook option for isbn. They wanted to be known as moderns, either realist or romantic.
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