Miscellaneous Notes on London

Zhu ZiqingOct 2017

4.1

Word count: 54K words
Chapters: 18

Summary

This book is a collection of essays by Zhu Ziqing. Zhu Ziqing (1898–1948), originally named Zihua, style name Qiushi, later renamed Ziqing, courtesy name Peixian, was a distinguished modern essayist, poet, scholar, and democratic fighter. He was born in Haizhou, Jiangsu (present-day Lianyungang) and later settled in Yangzhou. His essays are plain and meticulous, lucid and deeply felt, with refined language and graceful style, rich in genuine emotion.

Editor's review

London Notes is a collection of urban observations and life sketches written by Zhu Ziqing during his travels in Europe. Unlike conventional travelogues that check off landmarks, he is more concerned with the everyday details of streets and alleys, the expressions of ordinary people, and the atmosphere of the city. Zhu Ziqing's prose is plain and meticulous, lucid and deeply felt, with refined language and genuine emotion; it does not clamor for attention, yet leaves a long, lingering impression. The book offers both delicate depictions of foreign scenes and, beneath the surface, the reflections and self-possession of a modern intellectual in a foreign land. It is suited to slow reading in a quiet setting. For readers familiar with "The Sight of Father's Back" and "Moonlight over the Lotus Pond," this book reveals a broader side of Zhu Ziqing's prose: he writes of the city, and also of humanity's place within it. As you read, notice how he organizes observation through plain sentences, and how he restrains personal feeling within the narrative—this is instructive for understanding the maturing trajectory of modern vernacular prose.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy Zhu Ziqing's essays and want to read his travel writing
Readers interested in the European travels of Republican-era intellectuals
Writers seeking to learn plain, refined vernacular prose style
General readers who prefer slow-paced urban observation sketches

Not a good fit for

Travelers expecting practical guides and sightseeing information
Readers who prefer strong plot and fast-paced narrative
Readers unaccustomed to Republican-era vernacular and lacking patience

Reading tips

Read one piece at a time, recalling the most memorable detail after each, without striving for speed.
Keep a pen handy to mark where landscape description shifts to human portrait, and sense how Zhu moves from object to person.
After finishing, choose a passage you like and read it aloud to feel the rhythm and refinement of the language.

版权信息
自序
三家书店
文人宅
博物院
公园
加尔东尼市场
吃的
乞丐
圣诞节
房东太太
威尼斯
佛罗伦司
罗马
滂卑故城
瑞士
荷兰
柏林

FAQ

Is this book a travel guide?

No. It is a collection of essays written by Zhu Ziqing during his stay in London, focusing on personal observation and feeling rather than practical information such as routes, transport, or accommodation. It is not suitable as a travel guide.

Can I read it without having read other works by Zhu Ziqing?

Yes. The pieces are relatively independent and plainly written, requiring no prior reading. If you have first read such famous pieces as "The Sight of Father's Back" and "Moonlight over the Lotus Pond," you will more easily appreciate the continuity and change in his essay style.

How much British historical background do I need?

No prior preparation is necessary. The book focuses on everyday observations and urban impressions; where passages touch on the social background of the time, the context makes them clear. Interested readers may look up relevant background at leisure, but it does not affect overall reading.

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About the author

Zhu Ziqing Author · Chinese · 1898–1948

Zhu Ziqing (1898–1948), originally named Zihua and styled Peixian, was a modern Chinese essayist, poet and scholar. His ancestral home was Shaoxing, Zhejiang, and he was born in Donghai, Jiangsu. He taught for many years at Tsinghua University, where he served as professor and chair of the Department of Chinese. His essays often draw on everyday observations and personal experience; written in clear, refined language with sincere and restrained feeling, they convey deep reflection through plain narration. Pieces such as "Back View," "Moonlight over the Lotus Pond" and "Hurry" are widely read. Beyond creative writing, he devoted himself to the study and popularization of classical literature, notably in Common Talks on Classics, which surveys traditional texts in an accessible style. This collection holds more than 219 of his works, covering essays, literary appreciation and classic works. He died in Beiping in 1948.