The blooming of life

Author: Chen Sihe
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: This annual volume primarily reflects the new academic achievements and important historical materials of Ba Jin studies both at home and abroad from 2003 to 2004. It is divided into four sections: New Selected Works of Ba Jin, Forum, Historical Materials, and Information. "New Selected Works of Ba Jin" includes Ba Jin's unfinished essay In Memory of Shi Tuo (written at the end of 1988 or early 1989), his diary from his overseas visits between 1979 and 1981, sixteen family letters written to his wife and daughter-in-law, and three inscriptions for his granddaughter. Except for A Letter to Dandan, all of them are published for the first time. Additionally, the annual volume features letters from Xian Shan to Shen Congwen, as well as correspondence from Ding Ling, Kang Zhuo, Cao Yu, Zhang Guangnian, and others to Ba Jin. These newly discovered letters are all second-time public publications. Among them, Xian Shan's letter to Shen Congwen dated June 28, 1972, describes her illness and family situation, serving as important historical materials for understanding Ba Jin's family during the Cultural Revolution. It also highlights the lifelong friendship between Ba Jin and Shen Congwen, as well as the mutual warmth they shared in adversity. The annual volume is also accompanied by a large number of precious photographs and autographs of Ba Jin, with a significant portion being published for the first time. The Ba Jin Studies Annual is part of the academic research work of the Shanghai Ba Jin Literary Research Association and will be edited and published annually thereafter.