Married for ten years

Author: Su Qing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: Su Qing and Eileen Chang were both highly acclaimed female writers in Shanghai during the 1930s. They wrote about the themes around them, reflecting the complex issues faced by modern women in Shanghai at the time, such as family and social challenges. Eileen Chang's status in the literary world today is undeniable, yet Su Qing's works have unfortunately been overshadowed by history, which is truly a pity for readers. Eileen Chang once said she couldn’t compare herself to Bing Xin or Bai Wei, finding it an honor she couldn’t take pride in. However, she willingly compared herself to Su Qing. Wang Anyi, a contemporary follower of the Zhang school and an outstanding female writer, also expressed that it was "almost impossible" that Su Qing's works had been buried for so long. In her article "Searching for Su Qing," she wrote: "If one can truly understand Su Qing, one may come to know the female citizens of Shanghai. People only see the modernity of women in Shanghai but fail to recognize their fierceness. Eileen Chang’s novels depict this fierceness, but to truly believe it, one must read Su Qing’s writings." Married for Ten Years tells the story of Su Qing’s journey from marriage, pregnancy, and childbirth to her eventual disillusionment with her marriage and her decision to divorce and seek employment. This "autobiographical" work, which caused a sensation in Shanghai at the time, is filled with Su Qing’s extraordinary insights into human nature and relationships, yet it also showcases her resilient and spirited individuality, leaving behind a strong female figure in the many legends of Shanghai.