A person's peace

Author: Dai Mingxian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: What this book describes is not just the historical changes of a small town. Whenever I read this book, I always think of Shen Congwen's concept of the "change" and "constancy" of history. Up to now, I haven't mentioned the opening chapter, Ukiyo-e, which is the chapter that moved me the most: I saw something "eternal" in it. Was it the unchanging, carefree, and leisurely daily life of the small town, or the composed and serene demeanor of its people who had grown accustomed to the ups and downs of life? I couldn't be sure. Perhaps it was the unique charm of this "city" and these "people" that allowed me to sense a resilient life force—there are not few books by Qian Liqun about cities, but A Single Person's Anshun has its own distinct characteristics. Set against the small society of Anshun in Guizhou in the 1940s, the book employs an "ukiyo-e" style to depict the social customs, dietary traditions, extraordinary people, officials and entertainers, beggars and laborers, as well as local dialects—all forming a vivid "local scene painting" of Anshun. The author was mentored by literary predecessors such as Shen Congwen and Wang Zengqi, with a conscious awareness of style. His language is rustic yet rich in flavor, making the book captivating to read. The book is accompanied by over a hundred photographs, including many old photographs of Anshun, making it a precious visual and textual treasure.