Cao Yu Selected Works — China Literature Press

Author: Cao Yu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-01
Features: "The Chinese Library" primarily collects outstanding works and translations published in China since the 20th century in the fields of philosophy, social sciences, literary and artistic creation, and science and cultural popularization. These works and translations have had a significant positive impact on China's political, economic, cultural, and social development over the past century and remain highly valuable today. They are classic and essential works that every Chinese reader must read.
Great works are always the intellectual arguments that shook the wisdom of every era, the that enlighten the people, and the works that touch the hearts. They are treasures of the times and national culture, and they should have made contributions at the time and benefit for all generations, passing down through the ages. "The Chinese Library" collects and publishes works from the past century, offering a macro review of publishing achievements in the 20th century and actively exploring future publishing endeavors. It aims to contribute to the construction of advanced Chinese culture and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Some titles in "The Chinese Library" require reformatting due to technical reasons, with adjusted layouts, while most retain their original designs. A library of this scale, with a thousand books, spans a wide range of styles, from solemn to humorous, refined to popular. Uniform layouts may not always be suitable. Moreover, layout design is also part of the aesthetic appeal of a book. While readers absorb knowledge and appreciate works, they can also enjoy the distinctive styles of layout design from different publishing houses across different periods, which is a delightful experience for them.
Cao Yu was a renowned playwright. He began his career in dramatic writing in 1933. His debut work, Thunderstorm, published in 1933, established his place in the history of Chinese theater. In 1935, he created Sunrise, and in 1940, he wrote Beijing People. This book includes three of his famous plays. Thunderstorm condenses the complex entanglements of two families over 30 years into a single day, revealing the evils and tragedies of the old social system. Sunrise, set against the backdrop of urban life, portrays the dark reality of Chinese society in the 1930s while also hinting at a bright future. Beijing People, set in a typical feudal scholar-official family in Beijing, depicts the conflicts arising from the economic decline of the time and showcases the arduous journey of the younger generation in pursuing a better life.
These three plays, set in different historical contexts, are profound in content and unique in artistry. First published in June 1961.