Old Sheng

Name: Old Sheng
ISBN: 9787533967796

Jia PingwaZhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House · ChinaApr 2022

4.2

Word count: 196K words
Chapters: 8
ISBN: 9787533967796

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Summary

Lao Sheng records the century-long history of modern China through a narrative mode of "old talk." Lao Sheng, who sings funeral songs at burials, is the soul of the book: he wanders the mountain villages of southern Shaanxi, witnessing and recording the changes of several eras and the twists of fate of several generations, refracting the growth history of a century of China, vast and profound.

Editor's review

Jia Pingwa threads the novel through the figure of the "laosheng"—a singer of dirges at funerals—who wanders the mountain villages of southern Shaanxi, bearing witness to the shifts of several eras and the turns of several generations' fates. This setup gives the novel a texture in which folk balladry and historical memory are naturally interwoven: the laosheng is both bystander and recorder, and his dirges cast a bleak, lingering tone over a century of history. The work does not advance through dense incident but refracts the times through character fates and regional life; readers need patience to enter its narrative rhythm. For those familiar with Jia Pingwa's style, the book offers his characteristic concern for southern Shaanxi's countryside and historical depth; those used to fast-paced plots or unaccustomed to folk narrative forms may find the first few dozen pages a threshold. Best read slowly over a longer period, with attention to how the laosheng's sung lines echo the main text each time he appears.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who admire Jia Pingwa's work and follow his rural narrative and historical writing
Those interested in southern Shaanxi regional culture, folk funerals, and the dirge tradition
Readers willing to accept a slow-paced novel that refracts historical change through character fates
Literature students or researchers examining folk narrative perspectives in contemporary fiction

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer strong plots, fast pacing, or suspenseful twists
Readers impatient with folk ballad forms and loose narrative structures
Those seeking only short stories or light reading and unwilling to commit to a longer reading period

Reading tips

Read the first two chapters to attune to the laosheng's dirge-singing narrative voice, then proceed section by section along character threads.
Keep a sheet noting the main characters and the era each belongs to, to avoid confusion as multiple generations' fates interweave.
Watch for correspondences between the laosheng's sung lines and the main plot; the lyrics often hint at the story's direction or lingering resonance.
Don't aim to finish in one sitting; read in batches by era, and after each section recall its core upheavals.

About the publisher

Zhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House China · Founded in 1983

Zhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House is a Chinese publisher specializing in literary publishing. Judging from the 808 titles in the database, its publishing areas cover world classics, foreign literature, social novels, folk literature and classic works, as well as modern and contemporary literature and prose. Representative titles include foreign literary translations such as Anna Karenina, The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, In Praise of Shadows and The Complete Tragedies and Comedies of Shakespeare, alongside classic works by Lao She and Lu Xun such as Camel Xiangzi, Teahouse and Wandering. Its authors and translators include Leo Tolstoy, Cao Ying, Lao She, Yukio Mishima, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki and Zhu Shenghao. The press emphasizes the translation and introduction of classic texts and the compilation of native literary works, giving equal weight to Chinese and foreign literature. Owing to limited public information, its specific series and editorial policies are not elaborated here.

版权信息
开头
第一个故事
第二个故事
第三个故事
第四个故事
结尾
后记

FAQ

What is the laosheng's role in the book?

The laosheng is a singer of dirges at funerals and the soul of the book, as well as its narrator; he wanders the mountain villages of southern Shaanxi, witnessing and recording the changes of several eras and the fates of several generations.

How large a time span does the book cover?

The material states that it records a century of modern Chinese history, refracting the growth of a century of China through changes across several eras in southern Shaanxi's mountain villages.

Can I read this without having read other works by Jia Pingwa?

Yes. It is a standalone novel that does not depend on earlier works; but you need to adjust to its folk narrative perspective and slower pace, so it's advisable to sample the opening chapters before deciding whether to continue.

What does the title "Laosheng" mean?

In the book, laosheng is the term for a dirge singer; at the same time, the material points to the "laosheng changtan" (old clichés) way of narrating as a feature of the novel, so the title carries both the narrator's identity and a narrative stance.

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About the author

Jia Pingwa Author · Chinese · 1952

Jia Pingwa, originally named Jia Pingwa, was born in Danfeng, Shaanxi, in 1952. A contemporary writer, he graduated from the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Northwest University in 1975 and has served as chairman of the Shaanxi Writers Association and vice chairman of the China Writers Association. His work spans social novels and prose, including Ruined City, Qin Opera, Ancient Furnace, Shan Ben and Zhan Zuo; Qin Opera won the seventh Mao Dun Literature Prize. The collection also includes Solo Walking, Moon Traces: Selected Prose of Jia Pingwa (English), Remembering the Wolf, Lao Sheng and Dai Deng, among twenty-six titles. His novels are rooted in rural life and social reality, while his prose is plain and natural, revealing character in everyday detail.