Ancient City Reflections (Vol. 1 & 2)

Author: Xu Lingxiao
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-06-01
Features: A long-formnovel with a Beijing flavor, sealed away for 70 years, marking China's first such work; a "River Scene at Qingming Festival" left by a renowned journalist with a historical pen. It was serialized and published in the Shibao newspaper, gaining immense popularity and praise. Mr. Hu Shi highly commended it, expressing regret for not being able to read the entire work. The Reflections of an Ancient City compiles the essence of modern Chinese history and culture, pioneering the genre of long-formnovels with Beijing flavor. It spans over 600,000 words, divided into two volumes. The first volume, "The Turbulent World of Politics," reflects the hidden struggles and rivalries among political figures during the period before Yuan Shikai declared himself emperor. The novel touches on topics such as Peking University, cheating in imperial examinations, and the Hundred Days' Reform, featuring real historical figures like Zhang Taiyan, Zhang Zhidong, and Kang Youwei. Reading it feels like a novelized account of modern Chinese history. The second volume, "The Glories of the (Peking Opera World)," chronicles the development, evolution, and rise to fame of famous actors like Tan Xinpei and Mei Lanfang. Though the novel focuses on, it delves into the social customs, folk traditions, and diverse strata of Beijing society at the time, filled with fascinating anecdotes. Even today, it remains vivid and engaging, offering valuable insights for learning from history.