Lin Yutang's Classic Works Selection -- On Humor, On Reading: Lin Yutang's Classic Works Selection

Author: Lin Yutang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-03-01
Features: Mr. Lin Yutang, this immortal artistic master in the history of modern Chinese literature, was one of the earliest to use the term "humor." With a writing style that blends magnanimity, authenticity, humor, and leisure, he crafted unique prose and essays that are a feast for reading! Stylistically, the greatest characteristic of Lin Yutang's prose is its leisurely humor. Lin Yutang was one of the earliest to use the term "humor" in the history of modern Chinese literature. In the 1920s, he actively advocated "humor," but there were few followers, and it did not gain momentum. In the 1930s, after the founding of Lunyu (The Language of Freedom), he once again emphasized "humor" and vigorously created humorous and leisurely essays, which this time received more responses. Initially, he regarded "humor" merely as a linguistic style. Later, he understood "humor" as "a psychological state, to say nothing of a perspective, an outlook on life." Lin Yutang's conception of "humor" was not coarse or obvious jokes but rather humor that contained wisdom, and a carefree demeanor that revealed depth. Lin Yutang's prose often observes the world with a detached and leisurely mindset. He praises beautiful prose with simple words. This forms a "leisurely and humorous" style like "private whispered words." The language of Lin Yutang's prose is diverse and eclectic, incorporating everything from the formal language of ancient documents to current political slogans, among other things. This actually reflects Mr. Lin Yutang's literary language philosophy. He that literary language can integrate classical Chinese, vernacular Chinese, colloquial language, and regional dialects to form a unique language that is somewhat like a "vernacular classical Chinese." This book includes a wealth of Lin's exquisite essays.