Lin Huiyin Collection · Literature Volume

Author: Lin Huiyin
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-01-01
Features:
Revised Edition: Since the People's Literature Publishing House edited and published "Lin Huiyin's Poems" in 1985 and "Selected Works of Modern Chinese Writers·Lin Huiyin" in 1992, the publishing industry has shown increasing attention to Lin Huiyin. In addition to the scattered inclusion of her poems and writings in various collections, I have seen two more anthologies: one compiled by Taibai Publishing House in Shaanxi, featuring a collaboration with Liang Sicheng, and the "China Modern Literature Hundred Masters" volume on Lin Huiyin published by Huaxia Publishing House. Additionally, there are biographies or semi-biographical works about her. However, the issues in their editing and writing truly do not do justice to Lin. There is also "Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin" by (American) Wilma Fairbank, which was originally a good biography, but the translation we have is far from satisfactory. This collection, "Hua Bai," may be the most comprehensive to date in gathering various types of Lin Huiyin's remaining writings. It was first published in April 1999. However, due to my own shortcomings in proofreading, many issues were left unresolved until the revised edition corrected them. For this, I sincerely apologize to the readers.
As a scholar and writer, Lin Huiyin wrote far more than she published, and far more of her works were lost than those preserved. This is a true loss to the modern Chinese cultural scene. The reasons can only be found in the tragic history of China over the past half-century, not in blaming anyone. The greatest difference between this collection and other works by Lin lies in its inclusion of both her literary and architectural works. Being both a poet and an architect was an inherent cultural characteristic of Lin Huiyin. Unfortunately, most of her previous collections were edited by literary publishing institutions, leaving her architectural identity largely unrepresented. Another feature of this collection is its effort to gather as many of her letters as possible, though far from complete, they cover her life from her study abroad days to her later years, and all are personal letters. They provide an extremely authentic glimpse into her thoughts and experiences in literature, architecture, politics, emotions, family, and the social life that intertwined all these aspects. They reflect the era with blood, tears, and raw honesty. Some passages reveal the urgency and excitement with which she wrote them, not only in their messy handwriting but even in their somewhat disorganized thoughts. For those who wish to study Lin Huiyin and the era and culture she represented, these are truly reliable primary sources. As her descendants, I can only share these personal writings with readers in this sense.
This collection also includes several of her English letters, offering a glimpse into another side of Lin Huiyin. Lin herself once said she grew up with a dual cultural education, so for her, English was not just a "tool" but an internal way of thinking and expression, a source of inspiration, and a complete cultural world. It can be said that without English, there would be no "cultural Lin Huiyin."
The contents of this book include: "In Memory of Zhu Ming," "Because It Is Fragile," "Letter from Shanxi," "Beyond the Windows," "Commemorating the Fourth Anniversary of Zhu Ming's Death," "Spider Silk and Plum Blossoms," and more.