My father, Shao Xunmei

Author: Shao Xiaohong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: Shao Xunmei, the "wealthy" in Lu Xun's works, was paired with Xu Zhimo as the "twin gems of poetry" and celebrated as the "Mencius of literature in the sea." Yet, after his death, he faced widespread criticism and neglect. His daughter, Shao Xiaohong, spent a decade meticulously crafting this book to reveal the true Shao Xunmei. Many of the materials presented are being disclosed for the first time. The Times Weekly Magazine, The Times Comics, and Myriad played a significant role in the development of Chinese comics, and the evolution of comics also influenced the development of painting. Without Xunmei and the Times Publishing Company, Chinese comics would not have developed as they have today. — Huang Miao
In the history of modern Chinese literature, Shao Xunmei (1906—1968) is less known than most writers because he did not fit the typical image of a "May Fourth" writer with social conscience. As a poet, prose writer, translator, publisher, and flamboyant literary dandy, Shao Xunmei bore a strong resemblance to his friend Xu Zhimo. Xu Zhimo was an important poet of the Crescent Moon Society, and his posthumous fame also surpassed that of Shao Xunmei. — Li Ou-fan
I feel that Shao Xunmei had three personalities: a poet, a wealthy heir, and a publisher. He constantly moved between these three identities, weaving and looping in a very busy, contradictory, and harmonious manner. As a result, this person is truly difficult to grasp and even harder to portray. — Zhang Kebiao
Shao Xunmei was a highly influential poet and writer in the history of modern Chinese literature, as well as a renowned publisher and translator of Western literature. Due to his illustrious family background, complex relationships, and prolonged involvement in the various public disputes, factional struggles, and personal entanglements of the modern literary scene, he was long marginalized in post-1949 modern literary studies, failing to receive objective and fair evaluation. In recent years, however, Shao Xunmei and his contributions to the modern Chinese literary world have garnered increasing attention from various quarters. Yet, his life and deeds remain shrouded in a mysterious and elusive fog. Shao Xiaohong, the author of this book and the daughter of Shao Xunmei, brings her unique identity and personal experiences to bear, providing a comprehensive and three-dimensional understanding of Shao Xunmei's life. Through her, readers can get a close glimpse into his inner world, clarify the many rumors surrounding his family background, family life, later years, and misfortunes, and access a wealth of firsthand materials. The book is rich in content, vivid in prose, and brimming with emotion, captivating readers with its charm while also serving as an touching biography.