The Art of Living (English Version)

Author: Lin Yutang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-03-01
Features: Lin Yutang's series of works written in English once created a sensation in the Western literary world and had a profound influence. Some of them were selected as textbooks by American universities, while others were regarded as essential reading for high-ranking government officials to understand China. They have always been regarded as authoritative works in explaining Eastern culture. Additionally, this is due to Lin's exceptional artistic talent and extraordinary cultural attainment. As the Vice President of the International P.E.N. Club and a nominee for the Nobel Prize in Literature, his writings undoubtedly earned him the status of a literary giant in the international arena and brought pride to the Chinese people. Moreover, one should be amazed at Lin's "highly exquisite and skillful English," which "makes native English speakers both envious, admire, and feel deeply ashamed." Of course, we have finally allowed Mr. Lin Yutang to no longer regret "......All my thirty years of writings were in English, which should be the essence of the language, but unfortunately, they could not meet Chinese readers......" The Art of Living is the first book Lin Yutang wrote after dedicating himself to writing in the United States after traveling to America. It is also another English work that achieved success after The Chinese Universe and Its People. Published in the United States in 1937, it topped the U.S. bestseller list for 52 consecutive weeks the following year and was reprinted over forty times. It has been translated into more than ten languages. In this book, Lin Yutang fully conveys the open-minded and leisurely lifestyle of the Chinese people, who are fond of indulging in pleasure, along with the romantic and elegant Eastern temperament, to the Westerners. He presents a "life model of the highest caliber" that can be emulated, leading one critic (Peter Precott) to say: "After reading this book, I really want to run to Chinatown and bow to every Chinese person I meet." It must be admitted that this book, whether in content or language, is a rare read for English lovers in our country. However, it should be noted that some of Lin's views contradict Marxism, which absolutely does not represent the views of us as publishers. Readers are encouraged to guide themselves with a scientific worldview and methodology and to judge carefully and discerningly. For the same reason, we also ask readers to understand the in certain places. Lin Yutang (1895.10.3–1976.3.26) was a native of Longxi, Fujian. His original name was Hele, later Yutang, and then changed to Yutang. In 1912, he entered Saint John's University in Shanghai and taught at Tsinghua University after graduation. In the autumn of 1919, he went to the United States to study at Harvard University's Department of Literature. In 1921, he obtained a master's degree in literature and the same year transferred to Germany to enter the University of Leipzig, specializing in linguistics. After receiving his Ph.D. in 1923, he returned to China and served as a professor at Peking University, the director of the Academic Affairs Office, and the head of the English Department at Beijing Normal University for Women. In 1924, he became one of the main contributors to The Willow Tree. In 1926, he became the head of the College of Liberal Arts at Xiamen University. In 1927, he served as a secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 1932, he edited the monthly journal The Analects. In 1934, he founded People of the World. In 1935, he founded Cosmos Wind, advocating "a self-centered, leisurely style of essay writing." After 1935, he wrote cultural works and novels in English in the United States, including The Chinese Universe and Its People, The Art of Living, Beijing Smoke and Mist, and The Wind Blows and Cranes Take Flight. In 1944, he returned to China for a time to lecture in Chongqing. In 1945, he went to Singapore to establish Nanyang University and served as its president. In 1952, he co-founded The Sky Wind magazine in the United States. In 1966, he settled in Taiwan. In 1975, he was appointed as a research professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. In 1975, he was elected as the Vice President of the International P.E.N. Club. In 1976, he passed away in Hong Kong. The Art of Living is the first book Lin Yutang wrote after dedicating himself to writing in the United States after traveling to America. It is also another English work that achieved success after The Chinese Universe and Its People. Published in the United States in 1937, it topped the U.S. bestseller list for 52 consecutive weeks the following year and was reprinted over forty times. It has been translated into more than ten languages. In this book, Lin Yutang fully conveys the open-minded and leisurely lifestyle of the Chinese people, who are fond of indulging in pleasure, along with the romantic and elegant Eastern temperament, to the Westerners. He presents a "life model of the highest caliber" that can be emulated, leading one critic (Peter Precott) to say: "After reading this book, I really want to run to Chinatown and bow to every Chinese person I meet."