Biography of Yuan Haowen

Name: Biography of Yuan Haowen
ISBN: 9787532582778

Zhu DongrunShanghai Classics Publishing House · ChinaMar 2020

4.3

Word count: 102K words
Chapters: 12
ISBN: 9787532582778

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Summary

This biography not only recounts Yuan Haowen's life—his aspirations and perseverance, his compromises and calculations, his grievances and sorrows—but also chronicles the major watershed events of the hundred and fifty years from the Jingkang Incident to the fall of Yamen, and the final collapse of the Jin and Song dynasties amid the fierce encirclement and strife of the Liao, Jin, Western Xia, and Mongols, as the Chinese nation endured the most harrowing suffering in its history. The author does not shy away from Yuan Haowen's controversial actions—composing a stele inscription for Cui Li, submitting a letter to Yelü Chucai, attaching himself to Yan Shi, and flattering Zhang Rou—and, with a sympathetic stance, understands that a poet caught in a chaotic era could not control his own fate, while fully illuminating Yuan Haowen's literary achievements.

Editor's review

The Biography of Yuan Haowen is a late-career masterwork by the renowned biographical literary historian Zhu Dongrun and represents the mature practice of his theory of biography writing. This book is not a simple listing of a figure's life events; rather, it places Yuan Haowen in the historical torrent of the Jin–Yuan transition and dramatic cultural change, profoundly analyzing his inner conflicts, his steadfast integrity, and his literary achievements as the "literary master of his age." Mr. Zhu combs through historical sources with rigorous historical method and sketches the figure with a writer's brush, making this poet who lived in a time of chaos vivid and full. The book's interpretation of poetic theory such as the Thirty Poems on Poetry and its exploration of the cultural significance of the compilation of Zhongzhou Ji both demonstrate the author's profound scholarly skill. Reading this book is not only an encounter with a great poet but also a deep exploration of the mentality of scholars, cultural transmission, and historical writing at the turn of the Jin and Yuan dynasties. Zhu Dongrun's prose is polished and restrained, and the narrative carries a sense of historical weight and deep understanding of humanity, making this biography more than a purely academic work—it is a literary work of enduring reading value.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Researchers and enthusiasts interested in the history of ancient Chinese literature, especially Jin–Yuan literature
Readers who wish to understand deeply the mentality and choices of literati in times of chaos
Readers who appreciate Zhu Dongrun's biographical style, which blends historical textual research with literary craft
Scholars interested in exploring the poetic theory of the Thirty Poems on Poetry and its historical context

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking light entertainment or fast-food-style life stories
Readers who lack sufficient patience and interest for more specialized literary-historical discussion and classical Chinese sources

Reading tips

It is advisable to first gain a general understanding of the historical background of the Jin–Yuan transition, which helps in understanding the dilemmas of Yuan Haowen's era
The book can be read alongside Yuan Haowen's poems and lyrics (such as Wild Geese Tomb) to feel the interweaving of his literary life and personality
While reading, pay attention to how Mr. Zhu Dongrun constructs the historical scene through details and appreciate the distinctive narrative charm of his "biographical literature"

About the publisher

Shanghai Classics Publishing House China · Founded in 1956

Shanghai Classics Publishing House is a professional publisher centered on the collation of ancient texts and academic research works. Its publishing areas cover historical readings, classical poetry, folk literature, literary appreciation, canonical works, and Eastern philosophy. Its books include Chen Yinke's A Brief Discussion of the Origins of the Sui and Tang Institutions, Xin Qiji's Chronological Annotated Edition of Jiaxuan's Ci (Simplified Edition), Tang Xianzu's The Peony Pavilion, Liu Xie's The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons, as well as New Annotations to Three Hundred Tang Poems (Collector's Edition), Annotated Edition of Han Changli's Collected Works (Simplified Edition, 3 volumes), and Youyang Zazu. Its authors include Chen Yinke, Xin Qiji, Tang Xianzu, Liu Xie, Deng Guangming, Hengtang Tuishi, Han Yu, and Ma Qichang. In terms of publishing characteristics, the house emphasizes collation, annotation, and compilation of ancient texts alongside academic research works, and continues to issue simplified and collector's editions that balance scholarship and accessibility. Public information about the publisher's fuller publishing profile is limited.

版权信息
第一章元好問的先世及其時代
第二章元好問的青少年時代
第三章入仕的前夕
第四章入仕
第五章在汴京中
第六章三京的失守
第七章汴京陷落以後
第八章和嚴實的關係
第九章取道河南
第十章從鄧州取道東平回家
整理後記

FAQ

What are the characteristics of Zhu Dongrun's biography writing?

Zhu Dongrun is a pioneer of modern Chinese biographical literature. His characteristics lie in strict reliance on historical materials, attention to the real circumstances and psychological activity of figures within their historical environment, and the pursuit of unity of "historical integrity, historical talent, and historical insight," with a plain yet tension-filled style.

How does this book help in understanding Yuan Haowen's literary status?

The book systematically explains Yuan Haowen's pivotal role as a bridge between past and future in the Jin–Yuan literary world and analyzes in detail the cultural significance of his poetic theory, his poems, and his compilation of Zhongzhou Ji, helping readers fully understand his literary achievements and historical contributions as the "literary master of his age."

Is the book's narrative difficult to understand?

Mr. Zhu Dongrun's narrative is based on solid historical materials and is concise in language. Although it has academic depth, the writing is fluent and clearly organized. As long as one has a basic interest in ancient history and culture, one can follow the author's guidance step by step; it is not an obscure, purely academic work.

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About the author

Zhu Dongrun Author · Chinese · 1896–1988

Zhu Dongrun (1896–1988), originally named Shizhen, was a native of Taixing, Jiangsu. He was an expert in classical Chinese literature, a literary historian, a biographer, an educator, and a calligrapher. He studied in the early years at South Western College in London, and later taught at Wuhan University, National Central University, and other institutions. From 1952 he served as professor and chair of the Department of Chinese at Fudan University. His Outline of the History of Chinese Literary Criticism is regarded as a foundational work in the field. In biography he wrote The Grand Biography of Zhang Juzheng and The Biography of Lu You, among others, focusing mainly on ancient literati and political figures, with attention to source criticism and the restoration of character, in a restrained yet compelling style. He is considered one of the pioneers of modern Chinese biographical writing. Eleven of his works are collected here, spanning biography, classics, culture, and literary appreciation, including Lu You: Selected Works, Chen Zilong and His Times, and Biographies of Mei Yaochen and Yuan Haowen.