Lu Xun’s White Light
We have another spooky story for Halloween, this time a story from Lu Xun. This story, “White Light,” is not as discussed as it ought to be, but it has a skull, a suicide and a question of China’s future direction.
Monthly Archives: October 30, 2021
Addie Luo’s Translation of Li Qingzhao
Wuling Spring The wind settles, the dust aromatic—flowers have perishedLethargically tending hair and countenance at nightfallThe surroundings the same, the people no more, the past stallsDesire to speak, but have tears to recall Springtime at Twin Creek is still gorgeous, I hearEven planning a light voyage on boat, I steerThe slender boat at Twin Creek, […]
Pu Songling – The Magic Sword and the Magic Bag
We always come back to Pu Songling. This week, we are looking at his story “The Magic Sword and the Magic Bag,” which actually has little to do with either, but rather is a story about love, prostitution and a ghostly woman…join us for a spooky episode of the Chinese Literature Podcast.
Zoom Talk
Hello to all our Listeners. This is just a quick note: we are thrilled to have been invited to participate in the Modern China Lecture Series hosted by California State University, San Bernindino’s very own Dr. Jeremy Murray. And, we would love it if you would join us. Everyone is welcome! Here is the Zoom […]
Shi Zhecun – One Evening in the Rainy Season
This week, we take a look at on of the great writers from Shanghai’s 1930’s modernist moment. Shi Zhecun is one of the New Sensationalist (新感觉派), and his story, “One Evening in the Rainy Season” follows the story of a man who is following a woman one rainy Shanghai night. Is he a creeper? Is […]
China’s First Poem – Guan, Guan Goes the Osprey
This week, Rob and Lee go back to the very first poem in all of Chinese literature. The first poem in the Classic of Poetry, “Guan, Guan Goes the Osprey” has been interpreted and reinterpreted so much that it has become a staple of the canon. Rob and Lee discuss this, though, of course, this […]
Does Chinese Culture Dampen its Nobel Prospects?
Today, Rob and Lee change the format and have a debate about China and innovation, with Rob defending China and Lee arguing that there is something in Chinese culture that does not value innovation. Lee references Huang Tingjian and Su (Dongpo) Shi. Su Shi, the famous Song poet they did podcasts on before here and […]