Old Dreams 1937

Name: Old Dreams 1937
ISBN: 9787559429049

沈鱼藻Jiangsu Phoenix Literature and Art Publishing House · ChinaNov 2024

3.8

Word count: 159K words
Chapters: 13
ISBN: 9787559429049

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Summary

[Republican-era romance + elite families + reunion after years apart] They say nine out of ten love stories from the Republican era end in sorrow; to find even one happy ending is rare. A business tycoon vs. an innocent socialite—the second book in Shen Yuzao's Republican Era Dream trilogy, a small reunion amid troubled times!

Third Miss Jing Mingchen of the Jing family is arranged by her family to attend a banquet, where she meets business tycoon Jiang Gubei. Worried about the political situation, Jing Mingchen is distracted at the banquet—until Jiang Gubei suddenly proposes marriage to the Jing family for her hand. It turns out that in his youth, Jiang Gubei had sold a bracelet to raise money for his sister's medical bills and received help from Jing Mingchen. Now Jiang Gubei recognizes her by the bracelet. Jing Mingchen refuses the proposal, but while together relocating the orphans of martyrs, they face life and death side by side and their feelings deepen. With the dire political situation, Japanese bombing raids, secret agents lurking, and family pursuits… they are forced onto a road of flight and displacement.

Editor's review

Old Dreams 1937 is a Republic-era novel by Shen Yuzao, set against the turbulent year of 1937, telling of the characters' fates and choices in a specific historical environment. This is not a simple love story, but one that closely interweaves personal emotion with patriotic feeling, sketching through delicate strokes the joys and sorrows of ordinary people in a great era. The author Shen Yuzao excels at Republic-era themes; her writing combines classical grace with period atmosphere, and she is especially skilled at creating historical ambiance and portraying characters' inner lives. In terms of content, the book's value lies in the immersive historical experience it offers, allowing readers to glimpse how ordinary people held fast to their beliefs and pursued love and ideals amid the flames of war. Its narrative pace is well modulated, with both the tenderness of romantic attachment and the desolation of a broken nation, and the depth of emotion is cleverly combined with the weight of history. As a literary work, it is better suited to readers willing to savor it quietly and with an interest in exploring Republic-era history and culture. The emotional conflicts and entanglements of fate in the book concern not only romance but also reflect a era's collective memory and spiritual predicament, offering a certain depth of reading and space for reflection.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Republican-era history and social life
Literary enthusiasts who prefer delicate emotional portrayal and narratives of personal destiny
Readers who want to understand the lives of ordinary people in a specific era through fiction
Readers who enjoy immersive reading and can appreciate slow-paced exposition

Not a good fit for

Entertainment-oriented readers seeking fast pacing and strong plot conflicts
Readers completely unfamiliar with the Republican-era background and uninterested in understanding the historical context

Reading tips

When reading, you may consult historical background material from around 1937 to deepen your understanding of the characters' circumstances
Pay attention to the descriptions of everyday details, which are often key footnotes to the era's atmosphere
Try to appreciate the personal emotional line within the larger framework of the national narrative and sense the author's creative intent

About the publisher

Jiangsu Phoenix Literature and Art Publishing House China · Founded in 1958

Jiangsu Phoenix Literature and Art Publishing House focuses on literary publishing while also covering the humanities, social sciences, and books on art and daily life. Its approximately 1,535 titles in the database span social novels, world history, design, science fiction, classic works, and film and television: they include modern Chinese literary classics by Lu Xun such as A Madman's Diary: The Complete Short Stories of Lu Xun, Call to Arms, Four Generations Under One Roof, and Teahouse, as well as foreign literary memoirs like Stefan Zweig's The World of Yesterday. In science fiction it offers Asimov's Galactic Empire series, while in architecture and art it publishes Liu Dunzhen's Classical Gardens of Suzhou and design titles from Phoenix Space. Its authors are concentrated among classic writers such as Lu Xun, Zweig, and Asimov, with translators including Liang Xijiang, Zhong Haonan, and Ye Lihua. Its overall character is built on classic works while embracing genre fiction and visual culture. Public information is limited, and this introduction is based on the titles in the database.

版权信息
楔子
第一章退亲大计（上）
第一章退亲大计（下）
第二章山河破碎
第三章紧急撤退
第四章浮生偷闲
第五章千里寻夫
第六章身陷囹圄
第七章绝地反击
第八章等待黎明
第九章何处团圆
尾声

FAQ

Is this book purely a romance novel?

Not entirely. Love is an important narrative thread, but the story focuses more on the intertwining of individual destiny and the tide of history against the backdrop of a great era. Patriotism, family vicissitudes, and individual growth occupy a considerable proportion.

What are the characteristics of the author Shen Yuzao's writing style?

Shen Yuzao's writing is delicate and calm, skilled at creating period atmosphere and characters' psychological space. Her language has a classical charm, and the narrative pace is relatively slow, emphasizing details and the gradual unfolding of emotion.

Is the historical background of the story real?

The novel is set against the specific historical year of 1937, with major historical events forming the backdrop, but the specific characters and plot are artistic creations. It provides an emotional literary perspective for understanding that period of history.

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About the author

沈鱼藻 Author

Public information about Shen Yuzao is limited; details such as nationality, birth and death years, and an English name are not known. Judging from the four works held in the collection, her writing is mainly set against a Republican-era backdrop. Representative titles include Old Dream 1937, Old Dream 1913, the three-volume "Republican Old Dreams Trilogy," and Old Dream: Looking Home in Spring. These works are often categorized as social fiction, modern romance, and youth literature. They typically use the old days as a stage, blending emotional storytelling with period atmosphere and social change to create a nostalgic romantic style. The years in the titles and the recurring image of "old dreams" echo each other, showing the author's sustained interest in Republican-era themes. Although verifiable biographical information remains very limited, these few works alone demonstrate her concentrated engagement with this subject matter.