In the vast wilderness of Ussuri (Dersu Uzala)

Author: V. K. Arseniev
Translator: Wang Shizhao, Shen Manli, Huang Shunan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-02-01
Features: During his exploration of Siberian primeval forests, V. K. Arseniev encountered a Nivkh hunter named Dersu Uzala and asked him to serve as a guide. The nomadic hunter Uzala had extraordinary senses, was intimately familiar with the wilderness, and could smell the presence of animals, distinguish human and animal tracks, and more. With his exceptional survival skills, he repeatedly helped Arseniev and his team overcome difficulties and saved their lives many times. The two men forged a deep friendship during their forest adventures. Five years later, Arseniev brought Dersu to live in a secure city. However, the old hunter constantly clashed with modern society. In the end, Dersu Uzala, who belonged to nature, returned to the wild forest and tragically died at the hands of thieves. This book is a profound reflection on the ultimate care for an ordinary, kind, and simple person, and an elegy for the life of an ordinary individual. It is a classic of green literature, comparable to Walden, written by the Soviet geographer Arseniev after his explorations in the Ussuri region in the early 20th century. The book is divided into two parts: The Adventures in the Ussuri Mountains (originally titled A Journey to the Ussuri Region) and Dersu Uzala. The film Dersu Uzala, adapted from this book by the renowned Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, caused a sensation in the international film industry and won the 1975 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.