Empty Valley Orchid - Seeking Contemporary Chinese Hermits

Author: Bill Porter
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: This book is a "journey of seeking reclusion" by American sinologist Bill Porter. Through his personal visits to modern Chinese recluses living in places like Mount Zhongnanshan in the 20th and 89th centuries, he explores the history of the Chinese reclusion culture and its traditions, contrasting them with the present situation he is reporting. The book expresses his high admiration, longing, and nostalgia for traditional Chinese culture, as well as his hope for China's future development as seen by him. Although titled a "journey of seeking reclusion," the style of the book is not somber. Even when describing a damaged old tree, Bill ensures readers also see the tender buds on its gnarled branches. The language of the book is as elegant as sketching, full of vitality and, with an American-style humor that often brings readers a smile.
Empty Valley Orchids is a "journey of seeking reclusion" by American sinologist Bill Porter. Through his personal visits to modern Chinese recluses living in places like Mount Zhongnanshan in the 20th and 89th centuries, he explores the history of the Chinese reclusion culture and its traditions, contrasting them with the present situation he is reporting. The book expresses his high admiration, longing, and nostalgia for traditional Chinese culture, as well as his hope for China's future development as seen by him. Although titled a "journey of seeking reclusion," the style of the book is not somber. Even when describing a damaged old tree, Bill ensures readers also see the tender buds on its gnarled branches. The language of the book is as elegant as sketching, full of vitality and, with an American-style humor that often brings readers a smile. Therefore, more accurately, this is a "journey of hope" for the revival of traditional Chinese culture. The book features dozens of illustrations with exceptionally beautiful landscapes, some of which were shot by the renowned American photographer Stephen R. Johnson at great personal risk.