Agarwood, the First Incense

Author: Zhang Kuang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: With just a light brushstroke, she creates a sense of desolation—this is Eileen Chang, the genius who emerged into the Shanghai literary scene in 1943. Half a century later, Shanghai has become a different kind of prosperity, but the voice of cold indifference and the eyes that seemed to pierce the depths of the soul are no longer heard. Perhaps as she once said: Life is a gorgeous robe, crawling with lice. Even the most exquisite clothing will eventually be eroded. Thus, the perfectionist Eileen Chang had to let go of what was once perfect.
This book, through a combination of visuals and text, intensifies and makes the original work's clarity, composure, coolness, and brilliance even more vivid. We attempt to convey the stories that once moved and shocked us through a glimpse of light, a scene, and a set of words. Thus, Eileen Chang's novel, known as her "paper film," with its smooth dialogue, intricate plot, and narrative style close to that of a stage or film, transforms into a true "paper film." Her poignant and desolate emotions, the winding feelings, and the heart-stirring endings are reinterpreted through a new form—a "paper montage."
In terms of plot and language style, the book remains largely faithful to the original, as a way to pay homage to our great Eileen Chang.