Cultural Life Translation Series -- Flaws in the Mirror (My Self-Portrait)

Author: Patrick White
Translator: Li Yao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Patrick White's "Self-Portrait" consists of three parts. The first part is a concise recollection of his early life, his relationships with family and friends, and how he, through relentless effort, became a writer. White wrote this part with his characteristic sharpness, wisdom, and always questioning, emotionally complex style. He depicted his past friends, enemies, and significant events in extremely concise language. The second part narrates a series of travels in Greece. There, White found his spiritual home, and his tone became softer, more objective, and more emotionally rich. The third part, "Reminiscences and Reflections," is like a photo album documenting White's current life. He is ruthless toward enemies but generous and lenient toward friends. Through his analysis of the moral decline of his influential friend—Sir John Kerr, the former Governor-General of Australia, and his wife, Lady Kerr—as well as the Australian most famous painter, Sidney Nolan, White critiques the overall moral mediocrity of Australian society. Mirror Imperfections is an exceptionally brilliant, original, and sincere "self-portrait" by a genius writer. In this book, the author's comments on his family, life, and all of humanity, though sometimes harsh, still radiate a belief and praise for truth and love.