The Collected Works of Xu Zhimo: Prose Volume

Author: Xu Zhimo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: This is a collection of essays by Xu Zhimo, half of which are lecture drafts: "Fallen Leaves" was delivered by the master at Tsinghua University, "Words" at Peking University, and "Planting Flowers on the Beach" at the Affiliated High School. "Youth Movement" and "Political Life and Wang Jiaosan's Wife" were written for the "ideal" that never saw the light of day; in addition, the two essays— "On Suicide" and "Conservatism and 'Playing' with Tradition"—were originally published in the evening edition of the Morning News. Originally, I intended to include four more pieces: one was "Tea Drinking," a lecture at Minping Middle School, but the manuscript was never complete, and after several moves, even the fragments have been lost; another was "On the New Style of Writing," with only a few pages remaining, making it impossible to rewrite; the other two were in English: one was "Art and Life," published in the Creation Monthly, and the other was a lecture at a "Literary Friends' Meeting"—"Personal Impressions of H.G. Wells, Edward Carpenter, and Katherine Mansfield"—but upon review, they seemed rather repulsive, so I decided to cut them. Among modern literary writers, the early death of Xu Zhimo has earned him a larger number of young readers, which is quite natural. Many times, the lines from "Goodbye to Cambridge" are casually recited by young men and women, stirring the heart unexpectedly. Xu Zhimo is nothing less than the embodiment of romance. Although many collections of Xu Zhimo's works have already been published, a medium-sized selection might be more suitable for a broader group of young readers. This selection method can be considered an attempt, and it may not fully adhere to the rules, undoubtedly giving more weight to personal preferences. If it can be well-received by readers, then it has not deviated from its original intention. Due to Xu Zhimo's personal perspectives and the limitations of his time, in his writings, he expresses doubt and fear toward the Russian and Chinese revolutions of his era. His wavering and eventual descent into decadence are quite evident. Young readers should pay attention to discern these aspects.