Cao Yu's Autobiography

Author: Cao Yu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: Writers often struggle to articulate their own creations, and I am no exception. Analyzing works relies on critics. However, writers are clear about their own feelings. Love, hatred, and sympathy are all well-defined. What I cannot help but write, I must write until I cannot write anymore. We write only when we truly feel something. — Cao Yu
For any literary biographer, the most valuable material is the autobiographical writings left by the subject, even if they are just fragments. Therefore, private writings, such as the subject's letters, especially diaries, are highly sought after by biographers, often regarded as treasures. At the same time, readers who are eager to access the subject's own autobiographical writings. Once these writings are handled by a biographer a second time, they lose their authenticity, feeling like scratching an itch through a thick coat. This is especially true when an unremarkable biographer attempts to write about a masterful subject. — Fu Guangming
Autobiographical accounts are not the same as autobiographies. I believe the main difference between the two lies in the lack of a structured, chapter-by-chapter format in autobiographical accounts. They are often fragmented pieces written spontaneously, possibly limited by factors such as time, energy, and environment. As a result, the literary flavor of autobiographical accounts seems richer than that of autobiographies. Reading an autobiography is like traversing a vast river without tributaries—smooth and uninterrupted. In contrast, autobiographical accounts are like gentle streams, each piece independent and self-expressive, eventually merging into a grander flow, yet offering a unique charm. This book is an autobiographical account, not an autobiography, consisting of writings by the subject in prose, letters, or even diary form, telling the story of their life. Some are the subject's original full articles, restored to their original state; others are slightly edited versions of the original text; and some are merely fragments of the subject's letters or diary entries. To help readers better remember history and reflect on life through listening, the editor has added some micro-narrative subheadings. Additionally, the rich illustrations silently narrate, witnessing the subject's life and history.