Selected Translations of Ba Jin

Author: Ba Jin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-01
Features: This collection includes two works each translated by Ba Jin from Turgenev and Gorky. Mumu (1852) is an outstanding work by Turgenev, imbued with profound ideological depth and moving artistic power. It selects seemingly ordinary life incidents, employing clear love and hatred to depict the sharp class antagonism in serfdom Russia, the tragic fate of the peasants at that time, and their silent protests. It leaves a profound impact on the reader. The protagonist of the novel is a mute serf, and the author cannot write his dialogue or describe his psychological activities in the work. Instead, through simple stories and actions, he portrays the protagonist's integrity, kindness, and sense of resistance. The plot is tight, and the characters are vivid, showcasing the author's high artistic skill. The emotions of a deaf and mute serf for a woman and a dog are destroyed with indifference. In Punin and Babelin, the fates of two men from the lower social strata and a woman are manipulated by an invisible hand, but they stubbornly maintain their dignity. Caucasian Stories is an early work by Gorky, characterized by rich colors, striking brushwork, and a strong folk style, making it unforgettable. (Who could forget the old woman by the sea in Izya?) Literary Portraits presents the images of six great writers as depicted by the great author. Ba Jin's translation leaves no trace, as if it were an original creation, with the love he has for these works evident in every line.