The Confidence Trick

Chen HengqingNanhai Publication Company · ChinaSep 2023

3.8

Word count: 629 words
Chapters: 2

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Summary

This is Nian Yang, by Chen Hengqing.

Editor's review

Nian Yang is not long, yet it rewards slow reading. It draws readers not through strong plot momentum but through pacing and omission, letting them sense the subtleties of human affairs in seemingly ordinary dealings. Chen Hengqing's writing is restrained, with little direct commentary; meaning is often embedded in scenes and dialogue, leaving much to savor. This edition from Nanhai Publishing House makes the work easily accessible to general readers. If you are used to reading a section or two on your commute or before bed, paying attention to the tact and turns in characters' speech will often prove more rewarding than reading it all at once. It serves as an introductory work for understanding Chen Hengqing's narrative style and is also suited to repeated dipping into. One caveat: the work does not rely on dense conflict, so readers expecting strong drama may find it mild; those willing to read closely, however, can discern layers beneath the everyday.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers who enjoy slow-paced narrative and are willing to savor details of human relations
Readers who want a brief introduction to Chen Hengqing's writing style
People who need segmented reading on commutes or before bed and do not seek strong plot
Literature enthusiasts interested in social-life themes and understated technique

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer strong conflict and fast-paced plot
Those used to reading long works in one sitting and lacking patience for segmented reading
Readers expecting clear conclusions or explicit didactic content

Reading tips

Read one or two sections at a time, then pause to recall the tact and turns in characters' speech.
Keep a pen handy and mark dialogues or scenes you find meaningful, then review them together after finishing.
Read through once, then revisit the marked passages to appreciate the meaning in the narrative's omissions.
If it feels mild, try reading the latter half first and then return to the earlier text to feel the structural echoes.

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
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FAQ

Is this book suitable for reading in one sitting?

Not really. The work excels in pacing and omission, with little plot momentum, so reading it all at once can feel flat. Reading it in several sessions of one or two sections, leaving space to savor, makes it easier to appreciate the tact in characters' speech.

Can I read this without having read other works by Chen Hengqing?

Yes. The book is relatively short and its narrative stands fairly independently, making it a good introduction to Chen Hengqing's style. As you read, focus first on narrative pacing and dialogue handling; prior knowledge of other works is not necessary.

What if I find it mild?

That is a normal response. Adjust your reading: slow down and pay attention to the tact in characters' speech and the purpose of scene transitions; or read the latter half first and then return to the earlier text to feel the structural echoes, which often brings new insights.

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About the author

Chen Hengqing Author · Chinese · 1844–1920

Chen Hengqing (1844–1920), courtesy name Zijiu, was a native of Weixian in Shandong (present-day Weicheng District, Weifang). A late Qing official and scholar, he passed the provincial examination in 1873 and the metropolitan examination in 1886. He served successively as a secretary in the Ministry of Works, rising through the Waterways, Construction, and Colonization Departments, and later held posts as Supervising Censor of the Ministry of War, Investigating Censor of the Henan Circuit, and Chief Supervising Censor. In 1908 he was appointed prefect of Jinzhou. He retired at sixty and wrote works including Jianshu Xian Notes (also known as Jili Qingtan) and Unofficial Gleanings of the Late Qing. His extant writings are considerable, with 154 titles held in our collection, many drawing on folk literature and Eastern philosophy. They touch on modern upheavals such as the militia conflicts, the Boxer movement, and the Nian rebels, as well as rural tales and social types like foxes and swindlers, and social issues such as Manchu-Han differences, bearing the documentary flavor of note-style historiography. Public information is limited, and his literary standing and influence await further study.