The Legend of Xu Zhimo

Author: Gu Yongdi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-08-01
Features: Although the process of writing my biography of Xu Zhimo was somewhat, when I was writing this literary biography, it was almost an uncontrollable outpouring of my emotions. Because it flowed out all at once, it inevitably mixed with mud and sand. Now, some chapters seem too. But I don’t want to change them, because whether it’s mud, sand, or clear spring water, it’s all a record of my sincere emotions at the time. This revision only corrects some errors and adds a little fresh material. Although a new chapter titled "Resonant Echoes" has been added at the end, it should still be the original essence. If inspiration comes again and emotions surge once more, perhaps I will write a more biography of Xu Zhimo. This biography is said to be the first long-form literary work on Xu Zhimo published in mainland China in ten years, and it has been printed three times. After being published by Xinchao Press in Taiwan, it also became a bestseller. In Zhejiang, this book won the Excellent Literature Award. These were all things I never anticipated or sought at the time. What surprised me even more was that this small book was exported far to Europe, America, Japan, and Southeast Asia, and scholars and professors there read it. Some even became friends through letters and visits. This is truly an unexpected treasure. A Japanese scholar once said to me, "The Xu Zhimo you wrote is truly Xu Zhimo." Thank goodness, I was almost overwhelmed with gratitude. But upon reflection, this credit belongs to Xu Zhimo: because he is not a paper-cut, mud-molded, iron-cast, or a product of a mold. He has blood, flesh, and bones, ideals, pursuits, and demeanor. He dares to love, dare to hate, and dare to speak his mind. He is sincere, unpretentious, free from biases and schemes. He has universal love and compassion for the weak. He is like a splashing mountain spring—clear, sparkling, shining, and making sounds. Because there is an Xu Zhimo who is so much like a real person, only then can the Xu Zhimo in my writing be so lifelike.