Shanghai Book

Name: Shanghai Book
ISBN: 9787530681466

王月鹏Baihua Literature and Art Publishing House · ChinaFeb 2024

4.1

Word count: 121K words
Chapters: 29
ISBN: 9787530681466

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Summary

A writer born by the sea returns to a fishing village for fieldwork and interviews, documenting up close the lives of fishermen as urbanization unfolds. In conversations with fishermen he recalls thrilling tales from stormy waters; in archival records he seeks folk legends blurred by time; he listens for the resonance between the marine environment and human life, and analyzes how maritime culture shifts and passes down through the changes of the times. Through meticulous observation and record, and through compassionate, profound reflection and contrition, he reveals the complex vastness of the knot between natural ethics and human civilization.

Editor's review

The Book of the Sea is an essay collection by Wang Yuepeng that, in a poetic and profound style, builds a spiritual island about the sea, about life, and about time. This book is not a simple depiction of maritime scenery; rather, it is the crystallization of the author's deep dialogue between his personal life experience and the vastness, stillness, and mutability of the sea. In content, the author deftly avoids superficial writing about maritime landscapes and instead delves into their inner philosophical and cultural texture. The chapters include concrete narratives about fishermen, lighthouses, and islands, and are also filled with metaphysical reflections on maritime civilization and the relationship between humanity and nature, embodying an "inward," contemplative writing stance.

In terms of literary value, Wang Yuepeng's prose combines the expansiveness of the essay with the concision of poetry; the imagery is rich, the rhythm slow and steady, and the aesthetic quality high. The sea in his writing is physical, but even more psychological and spiritual; it is a witness to history and a metaphor for the future. This ability to elevate concrete objects into universal symbols allows the book to transcend regional literature and touch the hearts of a wider readership. For readers weary of urban clamor and eager to find tranquility and deep reflection in reading, The Book of the Sea is like a window facing the boundless, offering a rare spiritual voyage. It reminds us that in an age that prizes speed, slow and focused gazing and thinking are themselves a precious form of resistance and nourishment.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Literary enthusiasts seeking inner tranquility and fond of contemplative essays
Readers interested in maritime culture, ecological philosophy, and the relationship between humanity and nature
Writers who appreciate concise language, rich imagery, and poetic beauty
Those hoping to find depth and a coherent reading experience amid fragmented reading

Not a good fit for

Story-oriented readers who seek strong plot, fast pacing, and dramatic conflict
Utilitarians hoping to gain practical maritime knowledge or travel guides

Reading tips

It is recommended to read in a relatively quiet, undisturbed environment so as to better immerse oneself in the mood and rhythm of the writing
It need not be read all at once; choose one or two pieces to savor slowly, following the author's thoughts on a slow spiritual wander
While reading, pay attention to how the author combines concrete maritime images (such as reefs, waves, and fishing boats) with abstract reflections on life

About the publisher

Baihua Literature and Art Publishing House China · Founded in 1958

Founded in August 1958 and restructured into Baihua Literature and Art Publishing House (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. in 2009, Baihua Literature and Art Publishing House is known for publishing essays and fiction, and it hosts the journals Fiction Monthly and Essays. Its 757 titles in the library span classic works, culture, folk literature, essays and miscellaneous writings, foreign literature, and general biography. They include Lao She's Camel Xiangzi, Zhu Ziqing's selected essays and Classic Essays, Fu Lei's Twenty Lectures on Masterpieces of World Art, and a Chinese translation of Ryūnosuke Akutagawa's Rashōmon, as well as cultural and performing-arts titles such as the illustrated Biography of Liang Qichao and A Dictionary of Crosstalk. Its authors include Lao She, Zhu Ziqing, Wu Qichang, Fu Lei, Xue Baokun, Gao Yucong, Wei Zhiqiang, and Ryūnosuke Akutagawa.

版权信息
上篇
点灯的人
无字钟
老人与海及其他
成为一座岛
飞蛤
海里的根
打缆
羽翼风暴
网里或网外的海
徐福东渡
一瞬
海事
与海同行
石帆
下篇
另一种桥
夜宿渔村
心愿树
切口
一支柳笛
蚕与茧
食与味
匠心与规矩
在半岛
向海的窗口
“纪念那些未能从海上归来的人们”
海，与人海后记

FAQ

Is this book a travelogue or an essay collection?

It is essentially a highly literary collection of contemplative essays. Although it takes the sea as its background and theme and includes geographical and humanistic elements, its core is not a record of travel impressions but rather, through the vast image of the sea, a philosophical reflection on life, time, memory, and existence.

What is the writing background of the author Wang Yuepeng?

Wang Yuepeng is a contemporary Chinese essayist whose work is often grounded in specific regions (such as the Jiaodong Peninsula and the sea) but possesses a broad vision, striving to distill universally meaningful life issues from local experience. His essays are known for their profound thought, poetic language, and quiet, restrained style, and he enjoys a reputation in literary circles.

How difficult is this book to read?

The language is beautiful but not obscure, and it requires a certain degree of patience and concentration from the reader. Because it emphasizes introspection and philosophical thought rather than narrative drive, it is better suited to readers willing to engage their own feelings and thoughts in deep dialogue with the text. Those accustomed to light, recreational reading may find the pace slow.

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About the author

王月鹏 Author

Wang Yuepeng is known primarily as a writer of essays and cultural prose. Publicly available information about him is limited, and details such as his place of origin, educational background, and professional positions are not recorded in the available sources. Four works can currently be confirmed: Haishang Shu (A Book of the Sea), Yantai Zhuan: The Here and There of the Peninsula, Zhou zai Jianghai (A Boat on Rivers and Seas), and Huang Bohai Ji (Notes on the Yellow and Bohai Seas). These works focus largely on the sea, the peninsula, and local culture, while also touching on everyday experience and humanistic observation connected with travel on rivers and seas. Yantai Zhuan uses the approach of a city biography to trace the temporal and spatial contours of a coastal city, while the other works turn their attention to coastal scenery, fishing and navigation life, and regional historical memory. His writing generally falls within essays and cultural prose, emphasizing detailed presentation of local experience and personal reflection, and shows a relatively consistent focus on maritime subjects and regional writing.