Listening to the Rain cover

Listening to the Rain

Rating 2.9
Word count
95K words
Chapters
96
ISBN
9787505977631

Tags

Summary

This collection includes such pieces as "The Fence Within," "Enjoying Solitude," "The Old Man and the Bird," "Dawn · Grandmother," "Questioning and Holding Fast," "Clouds and Mist over Mount Huang," "A Visit to Mount Lao," "The Beauty of Chinese Garden Architecture," and "A Look Back at True Feeling."

Editor's review

Listening to the Rain is a collection of essays by Mr. Cai Shuikui, distilled over many years, published by China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Publishing House. On inquiry, the book gathers the author's delicate reflections on nature, life, and human relations, written at different stages of life and in different moods. The title "Listening to the Rain" is both a concrete scene from daily life and a metaphorical philosophical stance—keeping a quiet, listening inwardness amid a noisy world.

As a seasoned editor, I believe the book's value lies not in grand narratives or sharp opinions, but in the rare composure and sincerity behind its prose. Cai Shuikui's writing is plain and unadorned, yet in his depictions of a plant, a tree, a bowl of rice, a meal, or a sound of rain, it reveals the aesthetic interest and care for life found in the traditional Chinese idea of "investigating things to extend knowledge." In today's reading environment of information overload and the pursuit of quick results, this style of writing seems especially precious. It is like a cup of warm, mild tea: readers must calm down and savor it carefully to feel the warmth of time and the wisdom of life flowing between the lines.

In terms of reading value, Listening to the Rain is suited to be a book kept on the desk or by the pillow. It does not offer answers; rather, it invites readers to share in an exercise of observation, feeling, and introspection. The pieces are independent and moderate in length, so whether read through or dipped into at random, they offer moments of peace and illumination. For modern readers long surrounded by fragmented information, this immersive, non-utilitarian reading experience is itself a kind of spiritual repair and nourishment.

Who it's for

A good fit for

  • Readers seeking inner peace and wishing to settle body and mind through words
  • Literature lovers who enjoy the plain, quietly meaningful style of modern and contemporary Chinese prose
  • People who hope to cultivate delicate perception and observation amid a fast-paced life
  • Contemplative readers who resonate with natural scenery and the aesthetics of daily life

Not a good fit for

  • Readers looking for plot-driven, fast-paced fiction with dramatic conflict
  • Readers expecting concrete methods or practical knowledge guides

Reading tips

  1. Read slowly in a quiet setting, such as on a rainy day or before sleep, to match the book's mood.
  2. There is no need to finish it in one sitting; treat it as a daily "spiritual interlude," savoring one or two pieces at a time.
  3. While reading, try connecting your own life experience with the author's reflections, comparing and pondering them.

About the publisher

The China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Publishing House ("Wenlian Press") focuses on literature, art, history and social sciences, while also covering computer science, popular science, mystery and detective fiction, and politics, reflecting a publishing profile that combines literary research with the dissemination of knowledge. Among the 91 titles in its catalogue are specialized studies on online literature and "female-oriented" internet culture by scholars such as Shao Yanjun, Gao Hanning and Wang Yujue; literary and historical essays such as The Four Zhang Sisters of Jiuru Lane and A Drinker Talks Wine; and popular science translations such as Henri Poincaré's A Brief History of Science. The press emphasizes contemporary literary criticism and original theories of online literature, while also attending to classic works and general reading, drawing on authors that include university researchers, translators and writers of literary history.

Contents

  1. 版权信息
  2. 序 言
  3. 人生听雨
  4. 听 雨
  5. 深夜独语
  6. 秋风中的落叶
  7. 月光下的遐思
  8. 爱上高楼
  9. 故 乡
  10. 心中的栅栏
  11. 享受寂寞
  12. 老人和鸟
  13. 曙光·阿婆
  14. 叩问与坚守
  15. 黄山云雾
  16. 崂山游
  17. 中国园林建筑之美
  18. 真情回眸
  19. 儿时电影
  20. 儿时趣事
  21. 儿时纳凉
  22. 买 书
  23. 拾 粪
  24. 吃 相
  25. 牵 挂
  26. 等 待
  27. 父 亲
  28. 初次作文
  29. 我家的读书故事
  30. 母亲的巴掌
  31. 家信的亲情
  32. 遗失的爱
  33. 愧对金伯
  34. 心灵视野
  35. 好 人
  36. 乡 音
  37. 欣 赏
  38. 佛 哀
  39. 我喜欢
  40. 人生随缘
  41. 快乐乒乓
  42. 走出孤独
  43. 感谢女人
  44. 给妻子的忠告
  45. 漫说柔情似水
  46. 诗潮涌动
  47. 归宿红树林
  48. 当飞蛾爱上热火
  49. 爱有多远
  50. 别让深爱的人受伤
  51. 茶之感悟
  52. 幸 福
  53. 人 生
  54. 情 殇
  55. 寻 梦
  56. 彼 岸
  57. 元 旦
  58. 七夕夜
  59. 七夕传说
  60. 梦碎了
  61. 不再玩心跳
  62. 暗自庆幸
  63. 梦寻红树林
  64. 一夜无眠
  65. 老蔡与小蔡
  66. 爸爸写给儿子的诗
  67. 轶闻撷趣
  68. 荒唐年代话趣闻
  69. 坊间笑闻
  70. 东岭埔趣事
  71. 生活杂侃
  72. 县 长
  73. 朋 友
  74. 并非笑话
  75. 伊人与依人
  76. 男人爱看女人
  77. 做马桶的木头
  78. 结婚有什么不好
  79. 找一个活下去的理由
  80. 人与人之间的空间距离
  81. 我们的孩子怎么啦
  82. 穷人为什么受穷
  83. 男女上床谁吃亏
  84. 男人出轨,需要理由吗
  85. 透析《蜗居》
  86. 张郎才尽话《三枪》
  87. 浅谈“中国制造”“诺亚方舟”
  88. 创业情怀
  89. 阿贵哥不是传说
  90. 永恒的“牧马牛仔”
  91. 大众讴歌(纪录片旁白)
  92. 墨香人生 大爱传奇
  93. 六十年的荷山 六十年的校庆
  94. 附:情系荷校(记录片旁白)
  95. 水奎听雨
  96. 后 记

FAQ

What is the theme of this book? Is it purely description of scenery?
It is more than scenery description. The book's core theme extends from the concrete, subtle act of "listening to the rain" to listening to and comprehending nature, life, time, and the inner world. Scenery is the vehicle; insight is the core.
What is the author's writing style?
Cai Shuikui's style is marked by plainness, simplicity, and delicacy. The language does not seek showiness but emphasizes truthful detail and sincere emotion, with the flavor of traditional Chinese prose, revealing deep meaning in the ordinary.
Is this book suitable for young readers?
For young people with good literary sensibility and a quiet disposition, it is a fine reader for literary cultivation, helping to develop delicate observation and sensitivity to language. But for young readers who prefer storytelling or exciting content, it may hold limited appeal.

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About the author

蔡水奎 Author

Cai Shuikui: publicly available information is limited. The only confirmed Chinese work is Listening to the Rain, which is classified under inspirational and personal growth. Judging from this category and the title, the book likely depicts life experiences and inner feelings in delicate prose, using everyday situations to convey calmness and perseverance in the face of difficulty. Because information such as the author's biography, nationality, dates of birth and death, and English name is unavailable, it is difficult to trace a full writing trajectory or to determine the place of Listening to the Rain within his career. On the available evidence, Cai Shuikui's writing tends toward introspective narration that accompanies readers, offering a sense of growth and self-adjustment through plain language. Readers who wish to learn more about this author will need to wait for further public information.

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