The Back View
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Summary
Editor's review
From an editorial perspective, the value of reading this book lies not only in revisiting classic pieces but also in feeling, through Zhu Ziqing's brush, the spiritual world and emotional currents of intellectuals in that particular historical period. The detailed description in Back View of the father crossing the railway tracks to buy oranges has become one of the most moving scenes in Chinese literary history; it shows not only father-son affection but also the restrained, deep mode of emotional expression in traditional Chinese culture.
Other essays in the book, such as Moonlight over the Lotus Pond and Hurry, likewise embody the artistic characteristics of Zhu Ziqing's prose: precise and refined language, beautiful and profound imagery, and subtle, inward-looking thought. Together these works form a complete literary world, allowing readers to savor the beauty of language while also contemplating eternal questions of time, life, and nature.
It should be noted that Zhu Ziqing's essays were written in the 1920s and 1930s, and their language style and intellectual background are somewhat distant from the present day. Yet precisely for this reason, reading this book is an opportunity for a dialogue with history, enabling us, amid the fast pace of modern life, to rediscover the power of words and the depth of emotion.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Literature lovers who enjoy classic essays and the beauty of language
- Readers who wish to improve their writing and learn essay-writing techniques
- Those interested in modern literary history and the literary landscape of the May Fourth period
- Urban readers seeking peace of mind and deeper reading amid a busy life
Not a good fit for
- Entertainment-oriented readers who prefer fast pacing and strong plots
- Young readers who feel alienated by early modern Chinese modes of expression
Reading tips
- Readers are advised to begin with famous pieces such as Back View and Moonlight over the Lotus Pond to experience the typical style of Zhu Ziqing's prose
- Reading can be paired with learning about the social and cultural context of the May Fourth period to deepen understanding of the works
- Best read slowly and carefully in a quiet setting, to appreciate the emotional undercurrents behind the words
About the publisher
Shaanxi Normal University Press is a comprehensive publisher that gives equal weight to humanistic scholarship and general reading, with publishing directions covering law, world classics, social psychology, classic works, mystery and detective fiction, and foreign literature. In law, it offers theoretical translations such as Hegel's Philosophy of Right; in literature, it publishes Chinese and foreign classics including Gone with the Wind, Pride and Prejudice, Don Quixote, Six Records of a Floating Life, and The Complete Sherlock Holmes, with translators such as Jia Wenhao, Jia Wenyuan, and Jia Lingyi. It also publishes in social psychology and biography, such as The Neurotic Personality of Our Time and Beethoven. The library currently holds 210 titles; public information is limited, yet the overall profile shows a publishing character that balances academic depth with popular readability.
Contents
- 第一章
- 第二章
- 第三章
- 第四章
- 第五章
- 第六章
- 第七章
- 第八章
- 第九章
- 第十章
- 第十一章
- 第十二章
- 第十三章
- 第十四章
- 第十五章
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About the author
Zhu Ziqing (1898–1948), originally named Zihua and styled Peixian, was a modern Chinese essayist, poet and scholar. His ancestral home was Shaoxing, Zhejiang, and he was born in Donghai, Jiangsu. He taught for many years at Tsinghua University, where he served as professor and chair of the Department of Chinese. His essays often draw on everyday observations and personal experience; written in clear, refined language with sincere and restrained feeling, they convey deep reflection through plain narration. Pieces such as "Back View," "Moonlight over the Lotus Pond" and "Hurry" are widely read. Beyond creative writing, he devoted himself to the study and popularization of classical literature, notably in Common Talks on Classics, which surveys traditional texts in an accessible style. This collection holds more than 219 of his works, covering essays, literary appreciation and classic works. He died in Beiping in 1948.
