Bazi Collection

Author: Shen Congwen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: Take a look at the love of people by the water, take a look at the love of people in the mountains. It is natural, healthy, and sometimes inevitably a little bitter. In the eyes of some people, it may still be non-"moral." What about the gentlemen and ladies? There is no lack of "elegance," but that triviality and pretense cannot be said to be in line with "humanity." The two sets of texts form a contrast, "the former is simple, the latter is complex." Before his passing, Shen Congwen once had such a wish—to carefully select his works and print a series of small, pocket-sized booklets. It was not about how exquisite or beautiful they were, nor about how luxurious or elaborate they were. As long as the handwriting was clear and the style was simple and elegant, making them pleasant to look at. The small size of the booklets made them easy to collect, carry, and especially easy to browse. This selected edition is different from previous selections and editing methods. At the beginning of each small booklet, we have added some texts beyond his past works. There are essays, diaries, self-criticisms, unfinished works, and mainly letters—all collected and organized in recent years, most of which have not been published before. Regardless, these chapters either reflect the author's views at the time on society, literary creation, and historical and literary research, or reflect the author's circumstances at the time, as well as his inner conflicts, joys, sorrows, and frustrations. Publishing them may help readers gain a broader understanding of his works, his character, and the historical context of the time.