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Author: Zhang Licheng, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: The publication of "Dukou" was a major event in the publishing world of 2006. Its debut injected a breath of fresh air into the chaotic landscape of contemporary literary publications, offering a popular definition of "good writing." This "grey book" that blends solemnity and humor has gained increasing love and popularity among readers of all levels. Originally a "narrow audience" publication, it quickly won the preference of the masses, from initial word-of-mouth and friend recommendations to widespread praise from the media and book circles today. "Dukou" can be said to have created a miracle. Today, reading "Dukou" has become a trend. University teachers and students recommend it to each other, elites give it nods of approval, the petite bourgeoisie can’t help but love it, and the grassroots enthusiastically praise it. It can be said that "Dukou" now has its own fans, and many readers have even begun collecting this remarkable publication. It is a journal that can change people’s reading biases and even their reading habits. The authors are masters of language, avoiding the stiffness of many translated articles and the pretentious elegance of fashionable petite bourgeoisie magazines. The language is straightforward, the content substantial, neither exaggerated nor overly artificial. Interest, marginality, privacy, folk elements, and intellectual depth add numerous reading thrills to the book. "Dukou" was featured as a "highlighted recommendation" in two stores in Beijing, "Photosynthesis," and last week ranked sixth on the bestseller list at the Sanlian Taofen Book Center. One noteworthy piece in this issue is "Russian Collection of Khara-Khoto Paintings and My Western Xia Affection." In the early 20th century, Russian explorer P. Kozlov unearthed Western Xia treasures that had been lost for seven centuries at the Khara-Khoto ruins along the Ejin River, shocking the world. This collection of artifacts forms a treasure trove for studying Western Xia civilization, with its paintings vividly recreating the colorful history of the Western Xia for the world to see. (Note: The study and excavation of Western Xia history are currently a major focus in both domestic and international historical and archaeological circles.) The author, Mr. Wu Huanyu, after seeing this collection of artistic treasures at the Winter Palace Museum in St. Petersburg, began to copy them, hoping that the Chinese people could witness the splendid charm of Western Xia culture. Back then, Chinese princes traded dozens of rapid-fire guns for a large number of national treasures, but now, only an elderly man can use his brush to bring the long-lost Russian Collection of Khara-Khoto paintings back home. This issue of "Dukou" specially prints thirteen of Mr. Wu’s almost lifelike copies, and the emotions behind them are beyond words.