Dictionary of Received Ideas
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Summary
This legendary little book occupies a unique place in Flaubert's oeuvre. Studies of Flaubert's works such as the Flaubert Biography and Flaubert's Parrot all analyze it, and many writers—including the renowned contemporary authors Milan Kundera and Alain de Botton—have spoken of its brilliance.
Editor's review
As an unconventional creation by a literary master, the value of this book lies not only in its significance as a historical document but also in its continuing warning to contemporary society—those notions we take for granted are often precisely those that need to be examined and questioned. Flaubert achieves the deepest criticism with the simplest language, and this effortless wisdom is especially precious in today's era of information explosion and opinion overload. When reading, it is advisable to maintain a degree of reflexive thinking; you may find that you too may unconsciously hold certain 'received ideas.'
Who it's for
A good fit for
- History enthusiasts interested in nineteenth-century French society and culture
- Readers who enjoy satirical literature and black humor
- Intellectuals with an inquiring mind about social criticism and intellectual reflection
- Deep readers and researchers of Flaubert's works
Not a good fit for
- Readers expecting a traditional novelistic narrative structure
- Readers not comfortable with satirical literature and ironic techniques
Reading tips
- It can be read alongside Flaubert's Madame Bovary to understand the consistency of the author's critical stance.
- It is suggested to read casually, not necessarily in one sitting; each entry can be savored independently.
- While reading, consider: which 'received ideas' still exist today? Do we also hold similar notions?
About the publisher
Shanghai Translation Publishing House is a Chinese publisher oriented mainly toward translation and publishing. Its publications cover foreign literature, world classics and classic works, as well as social culture, folk literature and classical poetry. The database contains 2,618 titles, including Never Let Me Go, Les Misérables (2 volumes), Don Quixote (illustrated collector's edition), The Complete Comedies of Molière (4 volumes), The Complete Novels of Kafka (3 volumes), The Collected Works of Dostoevsky (9-volume set), Reason and Persons, and Oedipus Rex (Translation Classics). Its author resources include foreign writers such as Kazuo Ishiguro, Victor Hugo, Cervantes and Molière, as well as translators such as Zheng Kelu, Sun Jiameng, Li Jianwu and Zhang Kun. The publisher has brands such as "Translation Classics Selections" and "Translation Documentary," and emphasizes translated works in foreign literature and the humanities and social sciences, while also publishing bilingual dictionaries and foreign-language educational books. Public information is limited; the above is based on the book information in the database.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 序言
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- O
- P
- Q
- R
- S
- T
- U
- V
- W
- Y
- 译后记
FAQ
How is this book different from a traditional dictionary?
Why is this work said to be 'unfinished'?
What can contemporary readers gain from this book?
Comments
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About the author
Gustave Flaubert (1821–1880) was a French realist novelist of the nineteenth century, born in Rouen and died at Croisset. Known for his objective, detached description and meticulously crafted style, he is regarded as one of the founders of the modern Western novel. His major works include Madame Bovary, Sentimental Education, Salammbô and Three Tales. Madame Bovary probes the gap between ordinary reality and romantic desire through the marriage and illusions of a provincial woman, while the Dictionary of Received Ideas mocks popular prejudices and clichés in dictionary form. His writing stresses precision and rhythm of language, and he often revised his sentences repeatedly, exerting a lasting influence on later fiction and ideas of style.
Shi Kangqiang is a Chinese author and translator whose publicly available biographical information is limited; details such as his birthplace, dates of birth and death, and educational background are unknown. Judging from the four works held in the collection, his writing and translation center on French literature. His representative translations include Duras's The Lover (volume 6 of the Duras collected works) and The North China Lover, as well as A Dictionary of Received Ideas, and he is also the author of The Sorrows of Parting with an Old Dressing Gown. Spanning classic works, foreign literature, and essays, these titles show a sustained engagement with both literary translation and familiar essay writing. His translations are attentive to register, while his essays draw on reading and everyday life in a plain but flavorful style, offering Chinese readers accessible versions of French literature.
