Author, Author

Author: (English) Lochi, translated by Zhang Chong, Zhang Qiong
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2007-01-01
Features: A sudden and brilliant stylistic shift in David Lodge's work, a novelistic biography that blends the real and the fictional, vividly recreating the panorama of the "Fin de Siècle" British literary scene. On Sunday, the bright light of dawn had not yet entered when he woke, feeling an awful oppression in his heart, and immediately remembered why. It was impossible to go back to sleep, so he lay there, like a shipwreck survivor washed ashore on a desolate, icy, and damp pebble beach. He lay there, exhausted and dispirited, unable to climb beyond the tide line, indifferent to his own life or death, letting gloomy thoughts surge over his heart like waves breaking on the shore. What embarrassed him was that this humiliating failure had already spread or would soon spread to his large circle of acquaintances. In the coming weeks, everyone he met or corresponded with would know that Henry James had been loudly cheered on stage at the St. James Theatre. Every newspaper would report the event, and clubs, salons, and even in the servants' quarters, people would talk about it. Gossip would even cross the ocean and borders. Every social engagement and letter exchange would become extremely awkward due to both parties' discomfort, as neither knew whether to bring up the matter or pretend not to. If they did, how should they bring it up?