South of the River

Name: South of the River
ISBN: 9787533969035

刘汉俊Zhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House · ChinaJan 2023

3.0

Word count: 198K words
Chapters: 23
ISBN: 9787533969035

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Summary

This book gathers lyrical pieces that paint the poetic, leisurely vistas of the water towns—such as "Morning in Wuzhen" and "A Thousand Years of Oar Song"—alongside reflections that look back on and probe history, as in "Whose Tears Are Flying in the Song Dynasty" and "The Chu Character Was Written This Way"; it also offers in-depth portraits and appraisals of figures who might be called complete men, such as Yue Fei in "Manjianghong South of the River" and Zheng He in "Sails Rising South of the River." Its scenery writing is graceful and deeply moving; its historical commentary is grand in scope and penetrating in insight.

Editor's review

In the South of the River is an essay collection by Liu Hanjun, a veteran media professional and writer, gathering more than forty cultural essays written in recent years. The book is not merely a travelogue of the Jiangnan region in a geographical sense, but a meditation that probes the texture of Jiangnan culture. With delicate strokes and broad learning, the author moves among ancient towns, gardens, mountains, waters, lanes, and alleys, fusing historical allusions, literary memory, local customs, and personal reflection. From Wang Xizhi's Orchid Pavilion to Su Dongpo's West Lake, from Shaoxing rice wine to the fragrance of Longjing tea, every cultural symbol of Jiangnan is given fresh interpretation. The book's value lies in moving beyond mere scenery description to excavate the spiritual core of "Jiangnan" as a cultural concept—that distinctive temperament blending poetic dwelling, humanistic ideals, and historical vicissitude. The author's narration is calm and restrained, combining a journalist's keen observation with a scholar's deep accumulation, making the essays both readable and intellectually substantial. For readers, this is at once a deep journey on paper and a dialogue with traditional culture and with a quiet inner self.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers with a strong interest in the regional culture, history, and literature of Jiangnan
Literature lovers who enjoy in-depth cultural essays and humanistic travel writing
Readers seeking tranquility and poetic sensibility amid a clamorous life
Professionals in cultural research, writing, or related fields

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking fast-paced fiction with strong plotting
Readers looking for practical travel guides or mere introductions to scenic spots

Reading tips

Slow the pace of reading, perhaps with a cup of tea or Jiangnan silk-and-bamboo music in the background, to sink more fully into the book's atmosphere.
Pair the reading with further exploration of specific places or figures mentioned in the book (such as Zhang Dai or Su Dongpo) to build a more three-dimensional understanding of Jiangnan culture.
The chapters stand alone and suit fragmented reading, but reading the whole allows a fuller grasp of the author's overall cultural thread and emotional arc.

About the publisher

Zhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House China · Founded in 1983

Zhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House is a Chinese publisher specializing in literary publishing. Judging from the 808 titles in the database, its publishing areas cover world classics, foreign literature, social novels, folk literature and classic works, as well as modern and contemporary literature and prose. Representative titles include foreign literary translations such as Anna Karenina, The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, In Praise of Shadows and The Complete Tragedies and Comedies of Shakespeare, alongside classic works by Lao She and Lu Xun such as Camel Xiangzi, Teahouse and Wandering. Its authors and translators include Leo Tolstoy, Cao Ying, Lao She, Yukio Mishima, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki and Zhu Shenghao. The press emphasizes the translation and introduction of classic texts and the compilation of native literary works, giving equal weight to Chinese and foreign literature. Owing to limited public information, its specific series and editorial policies are not elaborated here.

版权信息
作者简介
主要作品
上篇大江铺长卷
有一个故事，叫乌镇
乌镇的早晨
乌镇的味道
乌镇春秋
千年的桨声
中国，只有一条长江
我家住在长江边
江南的背影
一个人能走多远
一江清水向东流
下篇日月舞椽笔
谁的宋朝泪在飞
江南满江红
剑胆琴心
南宋的最后一位忠臣
风帆起江南（上）
风帆起江南（下）
赤壁的天空
“楚”字是这样写成的

FAQ

How does this book differ from common collections of Jiangnan travel essays?

The book's core is not a travel guide or a fleeting description of scenery, but a focus on the cultural genes and spiritual lineage of Jiangnan. Grounded in deep scholarship, the author engages in historical retrieval, literary intertextuality, and philosophical reflection, aiming to explain how Jiangnan became a shared spiritual homeland for Chinese people; it is thus more intellectually substantial and culturally weighty.

What is Liu Hanjun's background, and how does it shape the writing?

Mr. Liu Hanjun combines the roles of writer, veteran media professional, and cultural scholar. Long experience in media has honed keen observation and concise prose, while sustained cultural research gives the essays solid grounding and broad vision. This composite background gives In the South of the River both grounded warmth in detail and a commanding cultural perspective.

Is the book demanding for readers?

The language is graceful and fluent, the feeling sincere, and general readers can read it smoothly and draw aesthetic pleasure and insight from it. The historical and literary knowledge involved is mostly woven into the narration in accessible ways and poses no barrier. Of course, readers with some grounding in classical literature and history will appreciate the allusions and intertextuality more deeply and gain all the more.

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About the author

刘汉俊 Author

Liu Hanjun is a Chinese author known for his essays and miscellaneous writings. Publicly available information about him is limited, and details such as his birthplace, education, and professional career are not clearly documented. Two of his works are held in the collection: Chu Zi Shi Zhe Yang Xie De and Zai Jiang Zhi Nan. Judging from the titles and their classification, his writing tends to center on Chinese character culture and the scenery and customs of the Jiangnan region, showing a strong flavor of cultural essays and local writing. The former appears to trace the written and calligraphic traditions of the Chu region, while the latter leans toward essays on life and cultural scenes in Jiangnan. Both books fall under essays and miscellaneous writings, suggesting that his work combines knowledge with literary quality and pays attention to cultural detail and personal reflection. Given the limited material, a full assessment of his oeuvre and influence is not yet possible; his direction as a writer can only be understood from these existing works.