Wildfire Collection

Author: Long Yingtai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: In 1984, Taiwan was in the midst of fervent hopes to break through the status quo and challenge authority. Looking back 20 years later, it was also an era filled with various opportunities that shaped Taiwan's destiny. A personal letter titled "Why Don't Chinese People Get Angry?" would ignite a wildfire, spreading through word-of-mouth, photocopied versions, and large posters. A woman who studied American and British literary criticism became the source of energy driving society to speak the truth! In 1985, "Wild Fire Collection" was published and went into print 24 times within a month. The momentum of the "wildfire" was even more astonishing, and it is not an exaggeration to say that the "Wild Fire Collection" is a symbol of an era. From its original publication to becoming a bestseller, "Wild Fire Collection" has now been 20 years old. These articles (including "Wild Fire Collection: The Outer Collection") record the youthful passion of Taiwan in those 20 years. The newly reorganized "Wild Fire Collection – 20th Anniversary Edition" not only preserves the 27 "wildfire" texts by the author Long Yingtai when she was 27 but also includes her recollections of the background stories behind each article's publication. Each story is a trace of the turbulent era, and the new edition grandly invites 20 representative Chinese figures from around the world, such as Bo Yang and Yu Qiuyu, to write either memories or critiques of Taiwan that went through the "wildfire era," collectively witnessing this 20th anniversary milestone. Long Yingtai often delivers merciless insights and direct criticism toward social phenomena, specific objects, or even individuals, words, or events, striking a chord with readers immediately. These issues are happening around us, visible and tangible, so concrete, real, and definite; yet the underlying reasons, meanings, impacts, and effects often go unnoticed by ordinary people. Once pointed out, they suddenly become clear. This newly reorganized "Wild Fire Collection" retains the author's original "wildfire" texts and adds her personal reflections on the articles, supplementary explanations of the historical context at the time, or reflections on the real-world significance of the writings. It also invites 20 prominent figures in Chinese-language literature, such as Bo Yang and Yu Qiuyu, to write either memories or critiques of Taiwan that went through the "wildfire era."