In Macao

Charles Andrew GunnisonProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.5

Word count: 42K words
Chapters: 5

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.In Macao by Charles A. GunnisonAuthor: Gunnison, Charles A., 1861-1897,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Jun 22, 2006

Editor's review

This is an English-language work by the American author Charles A. Gunnison (1861–1897), released as a free ebook by Project Gutenberg. Judging from the author's dates and the title, the work is about Macao and belongs to late nineteenth-century Western literary writing on an Eastern treaty port. Its value lies not in serving as a tourist guide to present-day Macao but in preserving a cross-cultural perspective from a particular era, allowing readers to sense how a Western narrator of the time depicted Macao's scenery, people, and daily life. The language is English and the work is short; it is suitable as supplementary material for studying Oriental themes in early American literature or the historical and cultural image of Macao. It is best read in the context of late nineteenth-century East–West exchange, with attention to the narrator's standpoint and historical limitations; the descriptions should not be taken as objective historical evidence. As a public-domain ebook, it is also suitable for readers who want low-cost access to original English texts.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Literary scholars studying late nineteenth-century American literature and Oriental themes
Readers interested in Macao's historical and cultural image and the history of East–West exchange
English learners who want to read short public-domain English texts
Readers interested in Project Gutenberg ebooks and early electronic texts

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking contemporary Macao travel guides and practical information
Readers expecting a systematic general history or academic monograph on Macao
Beginners who find English reading difficult and need a Chinese translation

Reading tips

First learn about the author's life and the historical background of late nineteenth-century Macao, then enter the text.
As you read, note the narrator's evaluations of local scenery and people and watch for period prejudices.
Read alongside other contemporary Western texts on Macao and compare their angles of observation.
Read it through in one sitting as a short work, then return to the opening to appreciate the narrative structure.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book a Macao travel guide?

No. It is a literary work by a late nineteenth-century American author set in Macao, reflecting the observations and imagination of a Western narrator of the time. It does not provide contemporary travel, transport, or accommodation information and cannot be used as a practical guide.

What English level is needed to read this book?

The original is late nineteenth-century English, with period features in syntax and vocabulary; intermediate or higher English reading ability is recommended. If used mainly for research, background materials and annotated editions can help with comprehension.

Is this book suitable for studying Macao's history?

It can serve as supplementary material, but not as a main historical source. It presents a literary Western perspective with period limitations and should be used alongside local histories, archives, and other primary sources.

Comments

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About the author

Charles Andrew Gunnison Author · American · 1861–1897

Charles A. Gunnison (1861–1897) was an American journalist and short-story writer. He served as secretary of a commercial publishing company in San Francisco and wrote fiction on the side. His works often draw on exotic and regional life: In Macao depicts the world of Macao, while The Beautiful Eyes of Ysidria and A Napa Christchild and Benicia's Letters focus on Hispanic life in California. His restrained, detailed prose captures local color and character emotion within the short-story form. Three of his works are held in this collection. Public information about him is limited, and details of his life and literary standing remain to be further studied; the available works nonetheless show his interest in cross-cultural encounters and everyday ethnic life, conveying a sense of place through concise narrative. He died in 1897 at the age of thirty-six.