Dreams remain the same.

Author: Pan Xiaosong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: There is a misconception that after reaching a certain level of intelligence, casual reading is something unrefined or boring. In reality, those who truly understand the essence of reading enjoy browsing through books effortlessly. They treat books with the same ease as they handle everyday household items, much like how people become carefree with things once they have enough of them. Marx read detective novels, Qian Zhongshu read dictionaries, and Einstein played the violin—all with the same ease and comfort. —From The Leisurely Ease of Casual Reading
In terms of reading, I am a romanticist. My pursuit of the form of books is almost obsessive. The pleasure a beautifully bound book brings me—excuse my bluntness—is not inferior to the allure of a woman with exquisite posture and vibrant colors—I can hardly think of a more fitting metaphor. Whenever I encounter ancient, exquisitely decorated books, I am overcome with an exhilarating sigh of admiration. A book made of fine paper, meticulously printed, and richly illustrated is like a beautiful garment, an outstanding craft, or even a mouthwatering delicacy—both its content and form are deeply cherished. —From I Am a Romanticist in Reading
I love the effortless nature of prose, the carefree arrangement of life it weaves. I admire the ease with which prose flows, the serenity of life it embraces. If ordinary people are also qualified to speak of realms, I believe the highest realm of life lies in unexpected moments, in a relaxed and distant state. Only a life woven by prose can attain this realm. —From A Life Woven by Prose
This collection gathers the author's writings on books and anecdotes of writers that have been published in newspapers and magazines over the past decade. The author is a professional literary translator who, by chance, has read some foreign literary works and visited the birthplaces of many literary works. His stories will not seem abrupt or out of place to readers who take leisurely strolls through this small volume. The author is also an avid collector of old books, and his writings about books are among his proudest works, with less artificiality. In his youth, he once dreamed of becoming a writer but did not fulfill it. As a result, he shares anecdotes of foreign writers in his native language in a light and casual manner, catering to those who are not accustomed to reading foreign languages—simply as a way to satisfy his craving for being a writer.
A person who works with words can contribute little to the art of language. The author believes he can offer to prose only his authentic nature, and what he can give readers is the leisure and ease experienced during reading—nothing more.