Quietly on the Don 1-4

Author: Sholokhov
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1997-08-03
Features: The Don River flows quietly across the vast land of Russia. Sholokhov, with his scorching southern hues, paints for us a vivid picture of the life of the Cossacks on both banks of the Don during the World War I and the Russian Civil War. The novel has two plot lines. One centers around the Melekhov family, reflecting the customs and social traditions of the Cossacks. The other revolves around the struggles between the Bolsheviks and counter-revolutionaries triggered by the activities of the Bolshevik group, as well as the political struggles of all social classes. The two threads crisscross, unfold layer by layer, and advance step by step, drawing readers into the tumultuous rural life of the Cossacks and sharing their joys and sorrows with the characters in the book. Sholokhov spent fourteen years writing this epic-length novel. After its publication, Sholokhov gained widespread acclaim and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1965. This work reminds us easily of Tolstoy's War and Peace. Both share a grand concept, majestic momentum, profound life content, rich and diverse characters, and vivid, moving descriptions, making them remarkably similar in spirit. Sholokhov's And Quiet Flows the Don, a masterpiece of Soviet literature, was translated into Chinese by the veteran translator Jin Ren decades ago in the 1930s and 1940s. Before the liberation, it was printed in eight editions. In 1951, the ninth edition was published by Guangming Publishing House. In 1953, the Soviet Union published a new revised edition of the book by the author. The Chinese translation of And Quiet Flows the Don published by our press in 1956 was revised based on this version. Until 1980, our press continued to print this edition. After the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Sholokhov made another revision of And Quiet Flows the Don, which was published in 1964. The new version differs significantly from the 1953 edition, with numerous additions, deletions, and revisions. Since Jin Ren passed away many years ago, it was impossible to revise his old translation based on the new version. Therefore, we asked Jia Gang to conduct a comprehensive proofreading of Jin Ren's translation based on the new Russian edition and translate the additional and revised parts added by the author in the new version. Now, the newly revised translation of And Quiet Flows the Don has met the readers. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jia Gang, who devoted years of effort to proofreading this book, and dedicate it in memory of Jin Ren, who tirelessly introduced Soviet literature throughout his life.