Essay
雨天的書
Not translated into English
Zhou Zuoren · 1925
Synopsis
The collection brings together short essays which the author, in his preface, wants to be peaceful and detached. It includes pages on tea and leisure, a text on flies that quotes a haiku by Kobayashi Issa, a meditation on death, letters to friends on national literature and on homesickness, and remarks on Tolstoy or on Havelock Ellis. Under a title that promises trifles, several pieces take sides on the Chinese society of his time.
Context
The preface explains the title and asks for these pages a peaceful, detached style of writing. A study on Aisixiang notes their clarity, concision and humour, but also, in the texts of doctrine, an adviser's tone that it judges less successful, and a national language that remains close to tradition. Several essays, including a text devoted to Leo Tolstoy, take sides: one judges that the great ill of the Chinese is to love obedience and oppression. No French or English translation of the collection has been found.
Who it is for
Short essays, to be taken in whatever order one likes; no version in French or in English is yet known.
Prizes and reception
Renditions regards its author as one of the best and most prolific essayists of his time.
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