The Strange Currents of the World Seen in Twenty Years (Volumes 1 and 2) (Illustrated Edition)

Author: Wu Jianren (Qing Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publication Date: 1959-08-01
Features: This book is one of the four major satirical novels of the late Qing Dynasty. It is a semi-autobiographical novel by Wu Jianren, a Qing Dynasty novelist, written from the perspective of an innocent scholar just starting out in the world. Through his interactions with others, he observes and understands real-life situations, gradually peeling away the truth hidden beneath the facade. The work primarily focuses on the officialdom and family life, providing readers with vivid materials on the politics, economy, and cultural customs of the late Qing society. It also reveals the moral decline and various vices brought about by the corrupt system. The novel reflects the numerous bizarre realities of China's officialdom, business world, and foreign quarters from the Sino-French War (1884-1885) to the early 20th century, depicting a social landscape of the declining Qing Empire. It exposes the darkness of the officialdom and satirizes the ignorant and pretentious scholars of the foreign quarters. For the convenience of readers, the compilers have added annotations at the end of each chapter, explaining some social systems, official terminology, and certain rites, cultural relics, and language that may not be familiar to contemporary readers.