Flowing Water

Name: Flowing Water
ISBN: 9787567575332

陈东东East China Normal University Press · ChinaNov 2018

3.9

Word count: 53K words
Chapters: 93
ISBN: 9787567575332

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Summary

The poetry collection *Flowing Water*—or perhaps better called a poetic text—carries within it the qualities of both essayistic poetics and allegorical fiction. Framed around the legend of Boya and Zhong Ziqi, its arrangement corresponds to the structure of the guqin piece *Flowing Water*; its twenty-four short lineated poems imitate and elaborate the language of guqin notation, while the theme of the "kindred spirit" runs through, unfolds, and varies throughout. A writing born of listening and reading, it also points toward listening and reading, longing to return to listening and reading; more than a book about the "kindred spirit," it stages a dialogue between writing and listening and reading. And this poetic proposition of dialogue is precisely what the "kindred spirit" is meant to be.

Editor's review

Chen Dongdong's *Flowing Water* is a modern poetry collection that demands quiet, attentive reading. As one of the representative figures of the "third generation poets," Chen Dongdong writes in a refined language with dense imagery, often building a tension-filled bridge between classical resonance and modern sensibility. This collection gathers the essence of his work over many years, allowing readers to clearly sense how the poet fuses the misty atmosphere of the Jiangnan water towns, the fragments of urban life, and the echoes of history and culture into a distinctive poetic texture tinged with "new classicism." His poems do not pursue straightforward narrative or intense emotional release, but devote themselves to creating an atmosphere, a state of mind; words meander across the page like flowing water, leaving behind traces of light and shadow and ripples of thought. For lovers of modern poetry, the value of *Flowing Water* lies in the highly self-conscious exploration of the possibilities of Chinese-language poetry that it offers. Reading it is more like a stroll through language, requiring the reader to set aside any urgent demand for "meaning" and instead immerse themselves in the aesthetic pleasure brought by sound, rhythm, and imagery themselves. It may not be the kind of work that delivers an instant impact, but its lingering resonance and exquisite craft are enough to secure it a place in contemporary poetry.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Deep readers with a strong interest in the linguistic experimentation and image-making of modern Chinese poetry.
Literary enthusiasts who enjoy poetry that has a classical foundation while also blending a modern urban sensibility.
Literary researchers or students who wish to understand the creative character and aesthetic pursuits of the "third generation poets."
Readers seeking a moment of calm in a fast-paced life and willing to immerse themselves in the beauty of language.

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting strongly narrative works with straightforward plots or highly overt emotional expression.
Beginning readers who feel impatient with or confused by a more obscure modern poetic style that requires repeated savoring.

Reading tips

It is recommended to read in a relatively quiet, undisturbed environment, not necessarily reading too much at once—savoring two or three poems at a time is enough.
Try reading aloud to feel the musicality and rhythm of the lines themselves; this helps in entering the atmosphere the poems create.
Do not feel compelled to "understand" every poem in one sitting; allow yourself to carry questions and impressions and gradually appreciate them over repeated readings.

About the publisher

East China Normal University Press China · Founded in 1957

Adhering to the publishing purpose of "broad education," East China Normal University Press extends beyond its three main areas of textbooks, academic works and general-interest books, and its catalogue clearly reflects a vision that bridges Chinese and foreign humanities and social sciences. In foreign literature it offers classics such as Yasunari Kawabata's Snow Country and The Old Capital (translated by Chen Dewen), Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, and Rilke's annotated edition of The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge (translated by Chen Zao); in architecture, Chen Congzhou's two-volume Appreciation Dictionary of Chinese Gardens; in social psychology, The Social Animal: 12th Edition; and it also includes philosophy titles, traditional-culture works such as the six-volume Paintings for the Protection of Life, and education books. Its authors include renowned Chinese and foreign writers and skilled translators, showing a publishing profile that balances classic translation, scholarly accumulation and public reading. Public information is limited; the above is based only on the books in the catalogue.

版权信息
Ⅰ 引起
1 欲望与记忆
2 文字谱
3 记忆与意会
4 意会与期待
5 文字谱
6 期待与虚构
7 虚构与空无
8 文字谱
9 空无与言说
Ⅱ 入调
10 言说与意会
11 文字谱
12 意会与空无
13 空无与期待
14 文字谱
15 期待与梦想
16 梦想与虚构
17 文字谱
18 虚构与凝神
Ⅲ 插曲
19 凝神与欲望
20 文字谱
21 欲望与梦想
22 梦想与记忆
23 文字谱
24 记忆与言说
25 言说与梦想
26 文字谱
27 梦想与凝神
Ⅳ 插曲
28 凝神与期待
29 文字谱
30 期待与言说
31 言说与欲望
32 文字谱
33 欲望与虚构
34 虚构与记忆
35 文字谱
36 记忆与空无
Ⅴ 插曲
37 空无与欲望
38 文字谱
39 欲望与期待
40 期待与记忆
41 文字谱
42 记忆与凝神
43 凝神与意会
44 文字谱
45 意会与梦想
Ⅵ 插曲
46 梦想与空无
47 文字谱
48 空无与凝神
49 凝神与言说
50 文字谱
51 言说与虚构
52 虚构与意会
53 文字谱
54 意会与欲望
Ⅶ 入慢
55 时间与技艺
56 文字谱
57 演奏与时间
58 倾听与技艺
59 文字谱
60 技艺与演奏
61 倾听与时间
62 文字谱
63 演奏与倾听
Ⅷ 复起
64 空无与梦想
65 文字谱
66 凝神与空无
67 言说与凝神
68 文字谱
69 虚构与言说
70 意会与虚构
71 文字谱
72 欲望与意会
Ⅸ 插曲
73 期待与凝神
74 文字谱
75 言说与期待
76 欲望与言说
77 文字谱
78 虚构与欲望
79 记忆与虚构
80 文字谱
81 空无与记忆
Ⅹ 煞尾
跋

FAQ

What are the main characteristics of Chen Dongdong's poetic style?

Chen Dongdong's poetry is known for its refined language, dense imagery, and strong musicality. He excels at blending the atmosphere of classical poetry with the perceptions of modern life, creating a hazy, subtle, and exquisite poetic space, and is regarded as a representative of the "new classical" or "new romantic" style.

Is *Flowing Water* suitable for poetry beginners?

It is somewhat challenging. The poems in this book are relatively subtle and restrained, requiring some experience in reading modern poetry and patience. If you are interested in modern poetry but are just starting out, it is advisable to pair the book with some introductory guides to poetry appreciation, or to begin with the relatively clearer and more accessible pieces.

How are the binding and layout of this book?

Editions from East China Normal University Press generally emphasize a combination of academic and literary qualities, with binding designs that tend toward simple elegance in order to highlight the text itself. In the case of *Flowing Water*, the layout is spacious, leaving ample breathing room for the poems and providing a relatively comfortable reading experience.

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About the author

陈东东 Author

Chen Dongdong is an author with limited publicly available information, credited with five works to date that span literature and industrial technology. In the literary field, he edited We Seasons' Poetry: The Poems and Prose of Stevens, bringing the work of the American poet Wallace Stevens to Chinese readers; Son of the Stellar Core: A Memorial Collection of Poems and Prose for Luo Yihe centers on commemorating the poet Luo Yihe and on poetic discussion; and A Few Words from Writing and Flowing Water reflect his sustained thinking about writing itself and poetic language, commonly classified under modern poetry and literary appreciation. He is also credited with An Introduction to Urban Rail Transit, indicating that his writing extends into industrial technology as well. His editorial and writing interests overall lie in organizing poetic texts, commemorating poets, and presenting writing experience, combining a literary perspective with technical subject matter.