Er Yu Zhai Storytelling

Author: Liu Shangheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: Each volume in the Book Forest Whispering Series has its own focus, but the spirit of exploring ancient and modern books, book culture, and the essence of the gathering and dispersal of classics is deeply interconnected. Their articles are both scholarly and engaging, allowing readers to savor the subtle conversations while feeling the cultural vicissitudes. The Book Forest Whispering Series covers refined topics such as reading, hunting for books, writing books, reviewing books, collecting books, and selling books, making it a series that caters to the needs of readers. It is highly readable and has gained favor among scholars.
With the extensive digitization of information, traditional books face challenges, and the exploration of modern lifestyles has somewhat dimmed traditional cultural reception forms. Books, once the dominant cultural products, now stand somewhat precarious under the impact of modern commodities. However, those who believe in them will continue to believe. Regardless of how humans use high-tech devices to live, paper books will still play a vital role in human culture. The editing and publication of this series aim to stand firm against the clamor of the secular tide, waving a flag for the glorious history of paper books, honoring the great minds who rose from the world of paper books, and comforting those who remain immersed in paper books and will continue to carry on its legacy. Naturally, predecessors like the Shuliang Press have already made similar efforts. We hope to join all fellow enthusiasts in preserving the sanctuary of our souls—the world of books, simple yet ancient, resilient yet noble, forever filled with the scent of ink.
This series is meticulously edited and modestly designed, embodying harmony between form and content, making it rare among its kind. The Talks of Er Yu Zhai on Books is a collection of book-related reflections written by scholar Liu Shangheng after organizing old books and immersing himself in literature. Though it deals with old topics, narrated in a gentle style, it feels like spring blossoms blooming, with fragrance and color filling the air. The book is divided into four parts: book talk, book people, book events, and book appreciation. No matter where you turn, there is endless charm and vicissitude.
Why bother with so many worldly matters? Why chase fame and fortune? If you have a study, eight thousand good books, a cup of bitter tea, and a green lamp, spending your days and nights together—like flowing springs and seasons—then even if your life spans only fifty years, it will be enough. The essence of this book is similar: a sparse brushstroke cannot fully convey its meaning. Who reads it may understand.
This "Er Yu" does not refer to the ancient "San Yu" (winter, the leftover of the year; night, the leftover of the day; overcast and rainy days, the leftover of time). It means that reading and scholarship are pursued in the aftermath of official duties and household chores. Liu Shangheng works at a public library, dedicating his life to helping readers find, buy, classify, manage, retrieve, and search for books. The Talks of Er Yu Zhai on Books is a collection of fruits gathered over the years from his long journey in the world of books.
In The Talks of Er Yu Zhai on Books, Liu Shangheng narrates stories of ancient and modern scholars collecting, reading, writing, and discussing book versions. Liu Shangheng is a research fellow at the Tianjin Library and an expert in ancient book editions. The book discusses the refined pursuits and nature of book lovers from four perspectives: book talk, book people, book events, and book appreciation, covering topics such as bound ancient books, modern scholars' bibliographical studies, book culture, room names and studio names, bookshops and book dealers, and hunting for and writing books. It is highly readable.