Biography of Xia Xi

Yu JiaoNanhai Publication Company · ChinaSep 2023

3.5

Word count: 744 words
Chapters: 2

Report an error Find this book

Summary

This book is The Life of Xia Xi, by Yu Jiao.

Editor's review

The Life of Xia Xi unfolds as a biography; within a limited space, Yu Jiao sketches the course of Xia Xi's experiences in plain language with a relatively clear narrative thread. For readers who wish to learn the outline of this figure's life, the book offers an accessible introduction. The narrative centered on its subject makes it suitable as supplementary background material and for initial acquaintance with related themes. As you read, note how the author organizes his material and what he chooses to emphasize, and consider how biography balances historical sources and narrative. Note that the book's informational content is limited; readers should consult other materials for a fuller picture. Overall, it is a biography suited to leisurely browsing and gradual acquaintance with its subject—not demanding, and easy to read in sections.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers interested in the life of Xia Xi
Readers seeking to supplement background knowledge through biography
Readers who prefer plain narration and biographies of moderate length

Not a good fit for

Researchers expecting deep source verification and scholarly annotation
Readers who prefer fictional plots and strong dramatic conflict

Reading tips

Read through once to grasp the main line of the subject's life, then revisit key chapters.
Jot down relationships and dates as you read to keep the thread clear.
Read alongside other related biographical materials for mutual supplement and confirmation.

About the publisher

Nanhai Publication Company China · Founded in 1988

Nanhai Publication Company is a comprehensive publisher known for its literature and arts titles, covering fields such as classical poetry, martial arts fiction, and folk literature. Judging from the more than 1,600 books in the database, the company has released classical poetic works including the Nineteen Old Poems and the Nine Songs, as well as multiple volumes of Huanzhulouzhu's series The Swordsmen of Mount Shu, along with related writings by authors such as Guan Hanqing, Qu Yuan, Zuo Si, and Wang Zhihuan. Its publishing character lies in balancing the organization of classic texts with the dissemination of popular literature, placing poetry anthologies alongside long martial arts novels and presenting a relatively diverse literary profile. Public information is limited, and further details about its editorial practices and series planning remain to be supplemented.

版权信息
夏熙传

FAQ

Is this book suitable for readers with no background knowledge?

Yes. It narrates the subject's experiences in biographical form and plain language, with no high barrier to entry; newcomers can use it as an introduction, first grasping the outline of the life, then seeking more specialized materials as needed.

Should I take notes while reading?

Simple notes are recommended. Biography involves relationships and chronology; jotting key points and connections helps keep the narrative clear and makes it easy to locate key chapters later.

Can this book be used to understand the relevant historical background?

It can serve as supplementary material. The book is centered on the individual, so historical background is limited; for a systematic understanding, read it alongside dedicated historical works.

Comments

Find this book

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

Yu Jiao Author · Chinese · 1751

Yu Jiao (born 1751), courtesy name Qingyuan and styled Mengchang, was a native of Shanyin in Zhejiang (present-day Shaoxing) and a mid-Qing prose writer and painter. His official career was beset with setbacks; for long periods he served as a private secretary and minor clerk, traveling as far north as Zhili and south to Guangdong and Guangxi, which gave him broad experience and acquaintances. His ten-volume Mengchang Zazhu records much that he witnessed personally, covering folk customs, painting history, and local historical events, and possesses both literary and historical value. His writings are diverse in subject: works such as Linqing Kou Lue recount contemporary events, while biographies like The Flower-Selling Girl of Fengtai, Yu'er Zhuan, and Xiake Zhuan, together with note collections such as Chunming Congshuo, are plain in style and documentary in spirit. Thirty-nine of his works are held in the library, commonly classified under classic works, folk literature, Eastern philosophy, and literary appreciation. Public information on the details of his life is limited, and scholarship relies largely on his own writings.