Double Sword Collection

Author: Lü Jian
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: The Double Sword Collection is a compilation of prose and essays written by the renowned poet Lü Jian since the late 1980s. The thirty-five articles are all meticulously crafted works filled with deep emotion. Among them, pieces such as Remembering Mao Gong, Seeing Ai Qing Again, and From Business Card to Representative Certificate are considered masterpieces by the author. Lü Jian was born in Laiwu, Shandong in 1919. He began literary in 1938. From 1944 to 1945, he served as the editor of the literary supplement for The Sweeping Banner in Kunming. From 1946 to 1947, he was the editor of the literary supplement for The China Commercial Press in Hong Kong. In 1949, he became the head of the editorial department and poetry group leader for People's Literature. He has published over twenty works, including Poetry and Struggle (a collection of poetry criticism), October in Beijing (a collection of prose and reporting), Lü Jian's Poetry Collection (a poetry collection), and The Sword Collection (a collection of prose and essays). He is a highly accomplished poet and prose writer. The articles in this book are divided into several sections:
1. Nostalgic and Reminiscence: These articles are sincere, written in a gentle tone, and showcase talent, historical facts, perspectives, and insightful evaluations and reflections. Notable works in this section include At Ye Shenglao's Home, Remembering Mao Gong (two parts), Seeing Ai Qing Again, and Remembering Hu Tuo.
2. Book Reviews and Miscellaneous Reflections: These articles are fair in judgment and provide in-depth commentary. Examples include Lu Xun's Satirical Poetry, Reading Kang Youwei's Passing Through Humen, and Unforgettable Books.
3. Travelogues and Reflections: These works explore history through travel, evoking ancient sentiments while expressing contemporary emotions. Notable pieces include Notes on a Southbound Journey and Mount Tai in My Heart.
4. Everyday Life and Random Thoughts: These works are rich in the spirit of daily life, connecting events to deeper truths, leaving readers with lingering reflections and revealing the author's true nature. Among them, the article From Business Card to Representative Certificate recounts the author's fortunate acquisition of a signed business card from Xu Guangping for Zhou Shuren, as well as the memorable experience of receiving signatures from the older generation of revolutionaries, such as Zhou Enlai and Zhu De, on his representative certificate at the 1949 National Writers' Congress. This brings back beautiful memories and deeply moves the reader.
Although the articles in this book are not numerous, they cover a wide range of topics. The writing is fresh and elegant. Given that the author has been unable to publish new works recently due to old age, this book is sure to bring readers great anticipation for his return to writing.