Broad Street
Tags
Summary
Editor's review
The editors believe the core value of Wide Street lies in its precise capture of a "sense of place" and a "sense of time." It is not only a record of the disappearance of hutong physical space but also an affectionate look back at a spiritual homeland and collective memory. The characters—whether artisans holding on to old courtyards or young people longing for new lives—are believable in their choices and struggles, forming a complex, diverse portrait of people during an era of transition. The author never forces sentimentality or nostalgia; instead, through calm narration and rich detail, the weight of history emerges naturally. This "unassuming power" is precisely where its literary charm lies. For readers familiar with or drawn to old Beijing culture, the book offers an immersive entry point; for a broader readership, it is a profound parable about how to locate oneself amid change and understand tradition.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers interested in Beijing's urban history, hutong culture, and neighborhood life
- Lovers of realist long fiction concerned with ordinary people's fates amid social change
- Readers hoping to look back through literature at Chinese society in the mid-to-late twentieth century
- Readers who appreciate delicate prose, steady narration, and attention to detail and character
Not a good fit for
- Entertainment-oriented readers seeking fast pacing and dramatic conflict
- Readers with little interest in or resonance with local narratives and specific historical settings
Reading tips
- Slow down and savor the author's fine-grained depiction of everyday details and characters' inner lives
- Read alongside old photographs or maps of Beijing to strengthen the sense of space and history
- Note how different generations feel about and respond to "Wide Street," and reflect on the enduring questions of "home" and "change"
About the publisher
Chunfeng Literature and Art Publishing House is a local professional literature and art publisher focusing mainly on modern and contemporary literary works, while also publishing classical literature, foreign literature, and books on culture and the arts. Its well-known brands include the "Cloth Tiger Series" and the "Little Cloth Tiger Series." Judging from the 257 titles in the database, its publishing scope covers social novels, classic works, classical literature, foreign literature, folk literature, and philosophy. Representative books include Lao She's Camel Xiangzi, Lu Xun's Call to Arms and Wandering, Wu Cheng'en's Journey to the West, Xiao Hong's Tales of Hulan River, and foreign classics such as Pride and Prejudice, Don Quixote, and The Golden Rose. Its authors include leading Chinese and foreign writers such as Lao She, Lu Xun, Feng Zikai, Wu Cheng'en, and Jane Austen, reflecting a publishing profile that combines Chinese classics with world literary masterpieces.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 第一章
- 第二章
- 第三章
- 第四章
- 第五章
- 第六章
- 第七章
- 第八章
- 第九章
- 第十章
- 第十一章
- 第十二章
FAQ
Is Wide Street purely a nostalgic novel?
Can readers who have never lived in Beijing understand this book?
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About the author
Xue Yanping is an author about whom limited public information is available. Seven of her works can currently be confirmed, mainly centered on animation and film art. Her representative works include Non-Mainstream Animated Film: History, Genres, Masters, British Animation and its second edition, and A Night of Fish and Dragon Dance: A Journey Through Animation Around the World, showing sustained attention to animation history, genres, and national animation cultures. In addition, Animation Performance Tutorial and The Shy Dancer: Animation Performance Tutorial (Second Edition) focus on teaching animation performance, combining theoretical review with practical methods, while Broad Street reveals a writing direction beyond animation. Her works commonly appear in categories such as art, film and television, software learning, and classic works, and are suitable for animation students and enthusiasts.
