Cherry Sea Collection

Lao SheFeb 2017

4.2

Word count: 97K words
Chapters: 12

Summary

Lao She is a well-known modern Chinese writer and a representative figure of Jingpai literature, celebrated for his novels, plays, and essays. His works, with their distinctive humor and rich everyday flavor, are much loved by a wide readership. Lao She represents the literary height of an era and is known as a "People's Artist."

Editor's review

Cherry Sea is a collection of Lao She's short stories that showcases his gift for portraying ordinary urban life with a humorous touch. The stories are mostly drawn from the daily lives of common people, with vivid characters and crisp, clean language that is witty and pointed yet always warm. Lao She excels at revealing human feeling in the ordinary and hiding compassion in the laughable; the reading is easy, but the aftertaste is not light. For readers who want to discover Lao She's short fiction, this collection is a good entry point: the pieces are short, suited to reading in spare moments, and convey the everyday atmosphere and linguistic charm of Jingpai literature. As you read, notice how he brings a character to life in a few sentences and how he writes the hardships of life behind the humor. It suits readers who enjoy modern literary short stories and want to feel the rhythm of authentic Chinese narrative, and also serves as supplementary reading for understanding Lao She's style. Those expecting the sweep of a long story or strong plot suspense may find it mild.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy modern literary short stories and want to read in fragmented time
Literature lovers who want to feel the charm of Lao She's humor and Beijing-flavored language
Writing practitioners who hope to learn character sketches and everyday narrative techniques
General readers interested in the urban life of the Republican era

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer strong plots, suspense, or the sweep of long stories
Researchers who need systematic background material on literary history
Readers uninterested in old-time urban life and subtle satire

Reading tips

Read one or two pieces at a time, then pause and think about which line of a character is most vivid.
Jot down short sentences in which Lao She describes a character's actions or dialogue, and imitate them by writing a passage about someone around you.
After reading the pieces in order, pick your favorite and reread it to appreciate the meaning behind the humor.
If your time is fragmented, treat each piece as a standalone story; there is no need to read continuously.

版权信息
序
上任
牺牲
柳屯的
末一块钱
老年的浪漫
毛毛虫
善人
邻居们
月牙儿
阳光

FAQ

I haven't read any other works by Lao She. Can I start with this book?

Yes. This is a short story collection, and the pieces are relatively independent, not relying on prior events from other works. Readers can enter through any piece and experience Lao She's narrative style; if interested afterward, they can go on to read his novels or plays.

How difficult is this collection to read?

Overall, not difficult. The language is mainly vernacular, with short, lively sentences and vivid character dialogue. Some pieces carry old-time life backgrounds and subtle satire, which may take a little savoring on first reading, but this does not hinder understanding the stories themselves.

What settings is it suitable for reading in?

It suits commutes, bedtime, or spare moments in the afternoon, one or two pieces at a time. The short stories are complete in structure, so stopping at any time is no problem; if you want to savor the language, you can also reread favorite passages and take notes in a quiet moment.

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About the author

Lao She Author · China · 1899–1966

Lao She, born Shu Qingchun with the courtesy name Sheyu, lived from 1899 to 1966. A Manchu from Beijing, he is a major modern Chinese writer. His writing long centered on urban life in Beijing and on ordinary people at the lower levels of society. His works are mostly social novels and folk literature, and he also wrote essays and miscellaneous prose. His style is plain yet marked by irony and compassion, and he was skilled at using colloquial Beijing-flavored language to portray characters and their fates. His representative works include Camel Xiangzi, Four Generations Under One Roof, and Teahouse, which have had wide influence. In 1951 he received the title "People's Artist." The library holds 488 of his works, commonly classified under social fiction, classics, folk literature, essays and miscellaneous writings, and exam books, showing that his writing continues to circulate among readers and in teaching.