Icing's prose

Author: Bing Xin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Bing Xin (1900–) is a modern and contemporary female writer and children's literature author. Originally named Xie Wanying, she used the pen names Bing Xin, Lady Bing Xin, and others. Born in Fuzhou, Fujian, she was exposed to classical Chinese novels and translations from a young age. In 1918, she entered the preparatory department of Union Women's University and actively participated in the May Fourth Movement. In 1919, she began publishing the short story "Two Families," followed by works such as "A Solitary Person" and "Leaving the Country," which explored life's issues in her "problem novels." Meanwhile, influenced by Tagore's "Stray Birds," she wrote untitled free-verse poems. These delicate, elegant, and graceful poems were later compiled into "Starry Sky" and "Spring Water," earning them the nickname "Spring Water Style." In 1921, she joined the Literary Research Association. That same year, she began publishing essays such as "Smile" and "Reminiscences." In 1923, she graduated from the liberal arts department of Yanjing University and went to Wellesley College in the United States to study British literature. During her travels and time abroad, she wrote the essay collection "Letters from a Little Friend," which demonstrated her elegant, refined, and lyrical style, characterized by conciseness, fluency, and high artistic expression. It achieved greater success than her novels and poems. This unique style was later called "Bing Xin Style" by contemporaries and had a wide influence. In 1926, after earning a master's degree in literature, Bing Xin returned to China and taught at Yanjing University and Tsinghua University, among other institutions. She then wrote essays such as "Returning South," novels such as "Division" and "Miss Dong'er," which reflected deeper social themes. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, she engaged in creative work and cultural salvation activities in Kunming and Chongqing. In 1946, she went to Japan and served as a professor at Tokyo University. In 1951, she returned to China and held positions such as editor of "People's Literature," member of the Chinese Writers' Association, and vice chairman of the Chinese Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Her works include the essay collections "After Returning," "Letter to a Little Friend Again," "We Awakened Spring," "Cherry Blossom Praise," "Notes on Gleaning," "Evening Twilight Collection," and "Letter to a Little Friend for the Third Time," showcasing a rich life. Artistically, she maintained her unique style. Her short story "Empty Nest" won the Best Short Story Award in 1980. The selected children's literature collection "Little Orange Lamp" received an honor award in the national children's and youth literary creation competition that same year. In addition to the works mentioned above, Bing Xin also published the short story collections "Superman," "Leaving the Country," and "Miss Dong'er," the short story and essay collection "Reminiscences," the essay collection "About Women," as well as "Complete Works of Bing Xin," "Collected Works of Bing Xin," and "Selected Works of Bing Xin." Her works have been translated into multiple foreign languages and published worldwide.