Unforgettable Xu Zhimo

Author: Han Shishan (Editor)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-05-01
Features: It doesn’t need to be said how good he was, nor how bad he was. Anyone would admit that Xu Zhimo was a talented and charming person. His extreme popularity back then, and his enduring fame to this day, are all because of this. Seven decades after his death, the reading and research on Xu Zhimo outside mainland China have remained consistently warm. The fervor in mainland China, however, has been like having the chills—hot one moment, cold the next, and even when it’s hot, there’s a hint of coldness. This may not be Xu Zhimo’s misfortune; rather, it has cast a faint, uneven mist over this figure, making him even more intriguing. The articles included in this book were collected during my research for A Biography of Xu Zhimo. I dare not ask others to read my A Biography of Xu Zhimo. I love my heart, but I also know that it’s the Xu Zhimo I’ve written about. However, I dare ask friends who love Xu Zhimo to look through this collection of essays. Some of the authors are his friends, and others are his family members. By following their perspectives, you’ll see different facets of Xu Zhimo—his strengths or flaws. Ultimately, whether shallow or detailed, you’ll form your own opinion. No opinion is more valuable than your own. Some of these articles were written soon after Xu Zhimo’s death, while others were written years later. On an individual level, apart from intentional distortion, they all strive for accuracy. The intention is good, but reality is often different, especially when it comes to memories of the past, which can be varied and even contradictory. To overcome this shortcoming, I’ve included a brief timeline Xu Zhimo’s Chronology at the end of the book. If you encounter any chronological difficulties, this chronology may help you.
[Editor’s Recommendations]
Over the years, I’ve traveled far and wide and met many people, but I’ve never met anyone more delightful than Xu Zhimo. — Liang Shiqiu
He was like Shelley and El Greco—a great unfinished work. His prose is restrained and pure, a rarity in modern China. His art criticism is equally immortal. — Hai Yousu
He was nothing but a bundle of sympathy, a bundle of love. — Hu Shi
His carefree and tolerant nature, unburdened by convention, unrefined, unselfish, uncalculating, and his passion for all aspects of life—these were the shining qualities of his character. — Shen Congwen
I cried for Xu Zhimo because I cried for myself. — Wu Mi
Thinking back on Xu Zhimo’s temperament, I’m still moved—there’s only one person in the world like him, and no second. — Ye Gongchao
Xu Zhimo was truly a mischievous, lovable, and unforgettable playful child! — Yu Dafu
I was pregnant for three months when Xu Zhimo told me to have an abortion. He said we were like small feet with Western suits. — Zhang Youyi