Moonlit Scenery

Author: Shen Congwen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: "The New Decameron," which is the collective title for a group of romantic stories by the author, signifies a similarity to yet difference from Boccaccio's "The Decameron." Except for the preface, each story is adapted from Buddhist tales. Through the author's ingenious arrangement and playful composition, infused with humor, they all point toward real-life scenarios, offering readers a rich and engaging experience. "Alice's Chinese Journey" is a long fairy tale written by the author, with a style somewhat akin to "Scenes Under the Moon," using fairy tales to critique the contemporary world with a sharp wit. Several chapters are excerpted for appreciation. Before his passing, Shen Congwen once expressed a desire to carefully select his works and publish a series of compact, miniature booklets. It was not about how exquisite or luxurious they were, but about clear printing and a simple, elegant design that was comfortable to read. The small size made them easy to collect, carry, and flip through. This selected edition differs from previous compilations. We have added some texts beyond his past works to the front of each booklet—essays, diaries, reviews, unfinished works, and primarily letters—all collected and organized in recent years, most of which have not been published before. Regardless, these pieces either reflect the author's views on society, literary creation, and historical studies at the time, or reveal his circumstances, inner conflicts, joys, sorrows, and frustrations. Publishing them may help readers gain a broader understanding of his works, his character, and the historical context in which he lived.