Border Town · Snowy Brightness (Classic Collection)

Author: Shen Congwen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-17
Features: Read Shen Congwen by grasping both ends of this selection. One end is realistic, presenting the original state of life in Xiangxi, while the other is romantic, elevating the spirit of Xiangxi people to a heavenly realm. Using "lyricism," Shen unites the life styles and forms of Xiangxi people to a high degree, which is the essence of Shen's writing. Shen's Xiangxi stories are complex and diverse, full of charm. Border Town is a classic text of a "national allegory" about the Miao people of Xiangxi. Through the methods of character symbolism and psychological analysis, one can perceive the deep cultural metaphors in Border Town. It reveals Shen Congwen's figurative thinking and totemic culture of the Miao people in Xiangxi, as well as his reflections and concerns about the cultural conflicts between the Miao and Han, and between China and the West. This book represents the peak of Shen Congwen's creative style, where he wrote novels with a lyrical tone and endowed them with poetic forms. The work embodies an "exquisite, healthy, natural, yet humanistic form," presenting readers with a pure and beautiful world of Xiangxi. Border Town not only typifies the author's ideal form of life and social philosophy but also, with its round, complete, concise, and fluid structure, unique aesthetic qualities, and profound emotional depth, provides a distinctive realm for Chinese lyrical fiction. From content, form to creative intent, the book offers readers a joyful rhythm like a harmonious and serene "pastoral song."