Xiao Xiao Collection

Author: Shen Congwen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: When Xiao Xiao became a wife, she was only twelve years old with a very young husband who was not yet three years old. The husband was nine years younger than her and had not been weaned for long. According to local customs, after the marriage, she called him her younger brother. With the arrival of the new son, the five-year-old son seemed to belong entirely to Xiao Xiao. Whatever she did or where she went, the husband always followed her closely. The husband was somewhat afraid of her, treating her like a mother and not daring to cause trouble. Their relationship was "not bad." Before the readers, there is both the simplicity and purity of a mountain village woman and the emptiness and complexity of an urban woman. Due to different environments, their fates vary: the former often follows nature, while the latter often goes astray. It seems vulgar but is actually elegant, and it seems elegant but is actually vulgar. The contrast reveals the author's slightly biased but well-intentioned "preference" in judging beauty and ugliness. Before his death, Shen Congwen had a wish to carefully select his works and publish a series of small, pocket-sized booklets. It was not about how exquisite or luxurious they were, but about clear handwriting and a simple yet elegant style that was comfortable to look at. The small size made them easy to collect, carry, and read. This selected edition differs from previous compilations. We have added some texts not included in his past works to the front of each booklet. These include essays, diaries, self-reflections, unfinished works, and mainly letters—all collected and organized in recent years, most of which have not been published before. Regardless, these chapters either reflect the author's views on society, literary creation, and historical and literary research at the time, or reflect his circumstances, as well as his inner conflicts, joys, sorrows, and frustrations. Publishing them may help readers gain a broader understanding of his works, his character, and the historical context of that time.