The Fun of Eavesdropping on Conversations - 50 Years of Essay Selections from World Literature (Essays. Art)

Author: Yu Zhongxian (Editor-in-Chief) / Ding Pin (Illustrator)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-04-01
Features: The Joy of Eavesdropping on Conversations reflects the passage of historical time, social changes, and the joys and sorrows of humanity through exquisite and elegant writing. Although it is just a tiny drop in the vast ocean of literature, it reflects a brilliant and glorious picture. The selected works are mostly masterpieces by renowned authors, with a few emerging talents who have already made a mark on the world literary stage. The selectors have paid attention not only to the different styles, schools, and techniques of the authors but also to the meticulous efforts of the translators in rendering the works. Thus, these works are not only rare and unique flowers in the garden of world literature but also the fruits nurtured by translators with heart and sweat. These works are the essence of World Literature, giving us a glimpse of the entire 300 issues, fulfilling our spiritual needs while also serving as a benchmark and model for guiding healthy reading. The author hopes that World Literature will continue to uphold its editorial principles and remain a bright beacon in the vast sea of foreign literature in China.
[Preface] The Sesquicentennial of 300 Issues (In lieu of Preface I) by Yu Zhongxian
Since its inception in 1953, World Literature has journeyed through more than half a century. Through storms and trials, it has published 300 issues (up to the 3rd issue of 2005). Among them, 139 issues were published before the Cultural Revolution, from 1953 to 1966. In fact, the 138th issue was published at the end of 1964, and the entire editorial team went to the countryside for the "Four Cleanups" campaign in 1965, resulting in a year-long suspension of the publication. After much effort, the 1966 issue was finally published, but it was halted again for a decade due to the outbreak of the Cultural Revolution. This demonstrates the hardships faced during those turbulent times.
In 1977, World Literature resumed publication but only as an internal trial edition, issuing two issues that year and four the following year before transitioning to open publication. Thus, the 5th issue of 1978 continued the serial number from over a decade earlier, becoming the "140th issue in total." This means that World Literature had six additional issues beyond its serial number, a unique phenomenon of the special period after the overthrow of the "Gang of Four."
Time flies. Four more decades later, in the 21st century, World Literature has edited another 160 issues. The current situation is vastly different from what it was back then, and so is the state of literature. However, the editors' love and dedication to literature remain unchanged. The editorial team calculated that over the 300 issues, there are 80,000 pages, approximately 64 million words. This is a numerical reflection of the contributions of several generations of editors to our spiritual civilization.
I have worked at World Literature for 20 years, except for the four years I spent studying in France. I have roughly edited nearly 100 issues. When I joined the editorial team, leaders like Gao Mang, Li Wenjun, and Jin Zhipei had already retired, and most of the editors had also retired. However, in my daily work, I have always felt a spirit that has supported and encouraged the younger editors—love for literature and dedication to the work. This is the invaluable spiritual legacy of the veteran editors of World Literature, and we have the confidence and responsibility to inherit and carry forward it.
To commemorate the 300th issue of World Literature, with the strong support of Yilin Publishing House and the diligent efforts of Mr. Ding Pin, we have launched these two illustrated books, combining poetry, prose, and paintings to showcase the harmonious beauty of words and images. In terms of selection, we have considered both the principle of selecting masterpieces by renowned translators, striving to choose works with distinctive characteristics and high translation quality, and the need for brevity, ensuring that the length of the text matches the illustrations to create a visual echo. At the same time, we have also tried to take into account the different periods in which the works were published in World Literature. Interested readers may notice some trends: the themes and artistic features of the works selected in different stages. We hope this will serve as a catalyst for World Literature to reach new heights.