The Way of the Family cover

The Way of the Family

Rating 2.8
Word count
122K words
Chapters
24
ISBN
9787515708089

Tags

Summary

The way to run a family lies in kindness from above and filial piety from below; the way to keep a household in order lies in harmony and forbearance; the way to live at home lies in close kinship and good neighborliness; the way to protect a family lies in prudence and humility; the way to pass on a family legacy lies in loyalty, trust, benevolence, and righteousness; the way to manage a household lies in diligence, thrift, and perseverance; the way to build a family lies in broad learning and firm resolve; the way to make a family prosper lies in virtue steeped into family tradition.

Editor's review

Family Ways is a work of documentary literature by Yuan Liping that explores family ethics and social change. It is not a novel; rather, through in-depth visits to and records of several typical Chinese families, it analyzes the impact, challenges, and transformations that traditional family values face amid rapid modernization. With meticulous prose and deep sympathy, the author depicts universal issues such as generational conflict, marital relationships, educational anxiety, and the difficulties of eldercare. Its value lies in providing a wealth of real social samples that prompt readers to rethink the meaning of the family as a basic unit.

In terms of depth, the book is more documentary than literary. The narrative style is plain and restrained, focusing on presenting phenomena and analyzing individual cases rather than offering systematic theoretical answers. This makes it more like a mirror reflecting the diverse realities of family life in a China in transition. For readers interested in sociology, anthropology, or contemporary Chinese issues, the book offers valuable fieldwork material. However, those expecting a dramatic family saga or a clear life guide may feel somewhat disappointed. Overall, it is a quiet yet powerful record of observation whose value lies in sparking resonance and reflection, helping readers re-anchor their understanding of "family ways" in a complex era.

Who it's for

A good fit for

  • Sociology and anthropology enthusiasts interested in social change and family relationships
  • Young and middle-aged readers undergoing family role transitions or facing generational communication confusion
  • Professionals in community work, psychological counseling, or family education
  • Readers who enjoy non-fiction documentary works and want to observe society through case studies

Not a good fit for

  • Readers seeking pure literary fiction or family sagas with strong plots and dramatic conflict
  • Readers expecting a practical guide with clear, step-by-step solutions to family problems

Reading tips

  1. Read it as social observation notes; there is no need to follow a continuous narrative—each chapter can be savored independently
  2. Reflect on your own family experiences while reading, but avoid simplistically equating yourself with the cases in the book
  3. Best read in a quiet environment to allow thoughts to settle and prompt deep reflection

About the publisher

Haichao Press China · Founded in 1986

Haichao Press is a China-based publisher with a clear professional identity. Publicly available information about its founding background and institutional history is limited, so it is not elaborated here. Judging from the books in the catalog, its publishing areas cover inspirational growth, management, culture, Eastern philosophy, folk literature and classical poetry, as well as the popularization and interpretation of Chinese classics. Representative titles include The Life Wisdom of Dream of the Red Chamber, Daily Economics: Viewing Wealth and Society with an Economist's Mind, and A Complete Treasury of Cultural Knowledge, along with volumes in the "Chinese Classics" series such as The Complete Classic of Mountains and Seas, The Essence of Records of the Three Kingdoms, The Complete Book of Songs, and The Essence of Guwen Guanzhi; A Concise Collection of Chinese Wisdom Stories reflects its work in organizing folk wisdom. Contributors include scholars such as Qiao Li, Zhou Xishan, Sheng Le, Li Wei and Chen Caijun. Overall, the press emphasizes accessible presentations of traditional culture and everyday knowledge, forming a publishing profile that balances the popularization of Chinese classics with practical application.

Contents

  1. 版权信息
  2. 前言
  3. 第一篇 治家之道
  4. 第一章 孝——孝悌之道
  5. 第二章 和——和气之道
  6. 第三章 爱——关爱之道
  7. 第二篇 兴家之道
  8. 第四章 家德
  9. 第五章 家风
  10. 第六章 勤俭
  11. 第七章 恒心
  12. 第八章 谦逊
  13. 第九章 礼仪
  14. 第三篇 相处之道
  15. 第十章 夫妻相处之道
  16. 第十一章 父母与子女相处之道
  17. 第十二章 婆媳相处之道
  18. 第十三章 亲戚相处之道
  19. 第十四章 邻里相处之道
  20. 第十五章 朋友相处之道
  21. 第四篇 居家之道
  22. 第十六章 持家之道
  23. 第十七章 教子之道
  24. 第十八章 家道语录

FAQ

Is this book a novel or a documentary work?
It is a work of documentary literature based on the author's visits to and records of real families, intended to reflect social phenomena. It is not a novel.
What family issues does the book mainly discuss?
The core issues include generational value conflicts, maintaining a marriage, pressure over children's education, eldercare models in an aging society, and the practical difficulties of traditional filial piety in modern society.
What are the characteristics of the author's background and perspective?
Yuan Liping focuses on social observation and documentation, with a perspective that combines humanistic care and sociological awareness. Through in-depth interviews, she presents the situations of different families as objectively as possible, leaving judgment to the reader. Her style is plain yet insightful.

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About the author

袁丽萍 Author

Yuan Liping is a Chinese author whose works span a fairly diverse range of subjects. Public information about her is limited, and details such as her nationality and dates of birth and death are not clearly recorded. The library currently holds six of her works, covering categories including biography, essays and miscellany, inspirational growth, and Eastern philosophy. Representative titles include From Farmer to People's Representative, Family Tradition, Chatting Is Also a Philosophy, The Power of Habit, Tolerance, and Sober in This World (5 volumes, comprising Self-Cultivation, Awakening, Tolerance, Inner Calm, and Sudden Enlightenment). These works suggest that her writing attends both to the real circumstances and family ethics of ordinary people and to everyday communication, habit formation, and cultivation of the mind, in plain and accessible language intended for general readers, with a clear inspirational and life-philosophy bent.

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