Agarwood

Author: Eileen Chang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: On the tenth anniversary of Eileen Chang's passing, a collection of Eileen Chang's works titled Scent of Sandalwood, compiled with the dedication of scholars from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, was released by Tianjin People's Publishing House. The book includes previously uncollected essays, film scripts (including Uncertain Love, Ladies First, A Song to Remember, A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich), handwritten illustrations, and photographs of personal relics. The cover design exudes Eileen Chang's distinctive style. According to the editors, the bright peach-red cover reflects the color of the petals in the fabric of Eileen Chang's cheongsam; the pale blue endpapers mirror the color of her shawl; and the beige background of the color illustrations matches the primary color of her sweater. This book marks the second collaboration between Tianjin People's Publishing House and Taiwan Crown Culture Publishing Company, with editing and publishing efforts taking place simultaneously across both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Many details in the book were confirmed after meticulous research by experts. For example, the film script A Song to Remember included in Scent of Sandalwood was compiled by Professor Chu Shusen of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology from a printed copy, leaving some uncertain passages due to theness of the original manuscript. The radio drama adapted from Russian writer Solzhenitsyn's A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich survived to this day solely thanks to the careful preservation by the renowned translator Qiao Zhigao (Gao Keyi). The re-emergence of Uncertain Love can only be attributed to sheer coincidence. This film, even Eileen Chang herself lamented its loss, was discovered by Professor Chen Zishan in a VCD. It can be said that the diligent efforts of numerous scholars in sifting through the sands led to the successful publication of Scent of Sandalwood. In the selection of essays, a facsimile of Eileen Chang's pseudonymous book Laughter and Tears was also specially included. Another highlight of the new book Scent of Sandalwood is the inclusion of photographs of Eileen Chang's personal belongings for the first time. According to Zhang Guorui of Crown Culture Publishing Company, who specially traveled to mainland China for the book launch, these personal items were transported from Hong Kong to the estate of Eileen Chang's heir, So Chih-chi and his wife, after her passing, by the executor of her will, Lin Shitong. After being organized by So Chih-chi and his wife, they were handed over to Crown Culture for preservation. The collection includes clothing, shoes, glasses, watches, pens, and cosmetics. Eileen Chang owned a large number of exquisite shoes, and her watches were carefully stored in a hidden compartment of a jewelry box. These items collectively offer glimpses into a daily Eileen Chang. Since Eileen Chang's death in the United States on September 8, ten years ago, the "Eileen Chang fever" has gradually spread from academia to the reading public. Through the relentless efforts of scholars worldwide, many of her lost works have been rediscovered and compiled. Both the publication of Not Young and Not Bad and Scent of Sandalwood owe their existence to this. In addition to essays such as A Few Words for the Readers, A Letter, and A Small Opinion on Modern Chinese, this collection also includes the script of Eileen Chang's long-lost film "Uncertain Love" and a radio drama adapted from Russian writer Solzhenitsyn's A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. These are all lost works outside of the Collected Works of Eileen Chang. Most of them were "recovered" by Chen Zishan, a renowned scholar of Eileen Chang in China, who has unearthed many of her works and sketches.