Maqiao Dictionary

Author: Han Shao Gong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Writers all aspire to write modern classics, and Han Shao Gong's Dictionary of Maqiao is undoubtedly one. The Dictionary of Maqiao is a powerful work by the renowned Chinese writer Han Shao Gong. It is serious in content, unique in style, and truly an outstanding novel. The Dictionary of Maqiao collects the dialects popular in a small village in southern China in the form of a dictionary. This dictionary quickly transitions from a pure dictionary format into a series of stories. Most of the material comes from the personal experiences of the "sent-down youth" during the Cultural Revolution, telling the little details of their lives in remote areas. The story draws heavily from Han Shao Gong's own experiences, defending the unique local culture while sounding the alarm against the monotonous trend of universal globalization. For Han Shao Gong, the story itself is a dictionary, extending the meaning of the word. Each term is fully annotated, serving as a springboard to introduce the seemingly scattered thoughts behind the words. These seemingly casual thoughts connect each word into a complete story. It is worth mentioning that these terms are not arranged in alphabetical order according to Western conventions. For example, under the entry for "River," specific river names and their origins are listed—before you know it, you are immersed in the story of the sent-down youth: how they cheated the boatman, how they lost the firearms they had hidden. After reading a few pages, the characters in the story gradually come to life, and their daily lives form the little details of the narrative.