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Summary
Zhang Yiping (1902–1947), childhood name Zaohui, also known as Hongxi, was a native of Jixi, Anhui. He began his education in a traditional family school, went to study in Qianfu in 1908, and later entered the Anhui Provincial Second Normal School. In 1921 he entered the preparatory program at Peking University. After graduating, he edited educational journals at the Education Improvement Society founded by Tao Xingzhi, served as editor-in-chief at Shanghai Dadong Book Company, and helped Lu Xun found the monthly Yusi, to which he was a major contributor. In 1928 he became secretary to the president and professor of literature at Jinan University; after the War of Resistance he taught at Chengdu University. He was a member of the Nanshe and the League of Left-Wing Writers. A prolific author, he produced more than twenty works—short story collections, essay collections, poetry, scholarly works, children's books, translations, and editions of classical texts—and was a modern writer and translator.
Editor's review
Also from the Republican Era Masters Collection, *Aili* offers a way into Zhang Yiping's work. His life was unusual: from a traditional school in Jixi, Anhui, to preparatory studies at Peking University; editor of an education magazine and editor-in-chief at a Shanghai publishing house; co-founder with Lu Xun of the monthly *Yusi* and a major contributor; later a professor at Jinan University and Chengdu University; and a member of the Southern Society and the League of Left-Wing Writers. This career across education, publishing and literature gives his writing a plain surface that reveals a close observation of human nature and social manners. *Aili* is valuable precisely because it presents concrete people and events in Republican-era vernacular, letting readers feel the emotional texture of literary youths and ordinary people of that time. Read it as a window: follow the story while noticing the language habits, narrative rhythm and atmosphere of the period. Suited to readers curious about Republican-era literature for leisurely reading, and as supplementary reading for modern literature courses.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers who want to understand Republican-era vernacular literature through specific works
- Readers interested in Zhang Yiping and the literary circles of his time
- Modern literature students seeking supplementary outside reading
- Readers of essays and fiction who prefer plain narration and attention to human affairs
Not a good fit for
- Readers expecting strong genre experiences such as suspense or fantasy
- Readers hoping to gain direct life advice or success formulas from the book
- Readers unwilling to adapt to early vernacular language style
Reading tips
- First learn about *Yusi* and the literary scene of the 1920s, then read the text; the sense of the period will be clearer.
- Compare the characters with Zhang Yiping's own experiences and note how the author's perspective is projected.
- Mark unfamiliar language habits first, then return to them after finishing the piece.
- Read alongside *Alian* from the same series to compare Zhang Yiping's material and technique across works.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 一
- 二
- 三
- 四
- 五
FAQ
What is the relationship between *Aili* and *Alian*?
Both belong to the Republican Era Masters Collection and are by Zhang Yiping, so they can be seen as a concentrated presentation of different works by the same author. The specific pieces and contents differ, so read them separately; when reading them together, note the commonalities and differences in material, language and emotional expression, which will help you understand his creative profile.
Will the language in the book be difficult to read?
The book uses early vernacular; most sentences are close to today's expressions, though some words and sentence patterns bear the marks of the era. You need not parse every word—first grasp the overall flow; mark unfamiliar expressions and look them up after finishing. After a few pieces, the feel of the language will become noticeably smoother.
How does this book help in understanding Zhang Yiping?
Zhang Yiping's works span fiction, essays, poetry, scholarship and translation. *Aili* provides a concrete text that lets readers go beyond biographical entries and directly experience his narrative style and concerns. Reading it alongside his biography and the background of *Yusi* is even more effective.
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About the author
Zhang Yiping
Author · China · 1902–1946
Zhang Yiping (1902–1946), originally named Zhang Hongxi, was a modern Chinese writer and translator from Jixi, Anhui. He studied at Peking University in his early years and became an important contributor to the weekly Yusi. He later served as editor-in-chief of Shanghai Dadong Book Company and taught in the Department of Literature at Jinan University, and after the War of Resistance taught at Chengdu University. His writing covered a wide range of genres; nine of his works are included here, spanning biography, essays and miscellaneous writings, classic works, and social fiction, such as A Critical Biography of Huang Zhongze, Collected Works of the Old Temple, At the Foot of Songluo Mountain, and The Pink Garment, The First Lover, and A Lian from the "Masters of the Republic" collection. He also wrote for children, including Historical Figure Stories for Children. He died in Chengdu in March 1946.
