Classic Works of Lu Xun - Family Bookshelf

Author: Lu Xun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: If British literature cannot be without Shakespeare, then our nation cannot be without Lu Xun—he is the national soul of modern China. Emerging from the May Fourth Movement, Chinese New Literature, in both language form and subject matter, represents a new peak in the history of Chinese literature. At the summit of this peak stands Lu Xun. Born in Shaoxing, Zhejiang in 1881, Lu Xun abandoned medicine for literature after experiencing numerous hardships, determined to provide fundamental healing for the nation and "change their spirit" (see the preface to Najun). From 1907, when he published his essay "The History of Man," until his death in 1936, Lu Xun consistently focused on and reflected upon the problems faced by humanity, leaving behind a wealth of writings, including novels, essays, (satirical essays), letters, and some academic works. In the fields of fiction and essays, he achieved remarkable success. Even in his final years, he maintained a powerful artistic creativity, tirelessly writing and experimenting with breaking the norms of modern fiction established by his own Najun and Panghuang (both are seminal works in the development of modern Chinese fiction; Yan Jiayan, a renowned Lu Xun scholar, once remarked: "It is a rare phenomenon in history that a modern Chinese novelist began and perfected the genre in the same person.") Through the "experimental" writing of Xushibian (The New Stories of Ancient Times), Lu Xun explored new forms of modern fiction. This allegorical collection of novels, with its exceptional artistic techniques and unique "life experiences," resonates deeply with contemporary readers. Zhaohuaxishipu (Dusk Blossoms Plucked at Evening) and Yecao (Wild Grass) are classic essays in the realm of New Literature, representing two entirely different styles of modern prose. Through them, Lu Xun created a distinct, composed voice that differed from his novelistic style. Without a doubt, these works of Lu Xun, which confront life and seek goodness and truth, remain indispensable in today's social context. Compared to his era and nation, Lu Xun was always ahead of his time. The profound historical and cultural depth embedded in his works makes inheriting this legacy a challenging endeavor. Repeatedly studying Lu Xun's classic works is the primary way to truly understand him. When reading Lu Xun's novels and essays, there are two key points to keep in mind: First, the prominent modernist features of Lu Xun's novels are primarily evident in his persistent resistance against despair, despite his inherent sorrow and confusion. His exploration of the spiritual wounds and pathologies of humanity gives his novels an inner strength beyond their extraordinary linguistic tension and rigorous structure: they reveal the depth of the soul. Second, while the world is often shocked and introspective when encountering Lu Xun as a spiritual warrior, fewer notice his calls for "the voice of sincerity" and "the voice of warmth" (see Lu Xun's Molapo Shilisi (The Power of the Romantic Poets), where he wrote at the end: "Now, in China, where are the warriors of the spirit? Are there those who can give our people a voice of sincerity, leading them toward goodness, beauty, and strength? Are there those who can offer a voice of warmth, rescuing them from the desolation?"). His essays, described by Zhou Zuoren as "the apex of personal literature," help readers appreciate the deeper concerns and compassion in his works beyond the critique of national character. On the 70th anniversary of Lu Xun's death, the editors have specially compiled his short story collections Najun, Panghuang, and Xushibian, as well as his essay collections Zhaohuaxishipu and Yecao, into The Complete Works of Lu Xun as a gift to readers. We sincerely hope it will be well-received and criticized by the readers.