Back View
Tags
Summary
Editor's review
From an editorial perspective, the book's value lies in the 'cleanliness' of its language and the 'universality' of its emotion. Zhu's writing is refined and precise, with almost no redundant embellishment, and behind this simplicity lies a deep command of Chinese. His depictions of a father's retreating figure, the passage of time, and the moonlit lotus pond resonate with generation after generation because he captures a shared human core: attachment to family, wistfulness at time's fleetingness, and quiet contemplation of natural beauty. In an age of information overload and increasingly inflated expression, rereading these texts lets us rediscover the compressed beauty of Chinese and the understated power of emotional expression.
The edition selects well-known pieces and is very suitable as an introductory reader to Zhu Ziqing's prose. For readers who wish to sharpen their feel for Chinese and learn how to express profound emotion in plain language, this book is an excellent model. It offers no breathtaking plot but guides readers to see true feeling in small details and savor resonance in the ordinary.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers who wish to feel the beauty of concise Chinese and improve their literary sensibility
- Literature lovers interested in modern prose who seek emotional resonance
- Students learning to write who need classic models of narrative and lyric prose
- Those in a busy life who long for a moment of calm and reflection through reading
Not a good fit for
- Readers seeking plot-driven, fast-paced fiction
- Readers looking for practical knowledge or academic research
Reading tips
- Read slowly in a quiet setting; the point is not speed but feeling the emotion and rhythm between the lines
- Focus on famous pieces such as "The Sight of Father's Back," "Hurry," and "Moonlight over the Lotus Pond," and observe how the author elevates everyday scenes into enduring images
- After reading, try imitating his plain descriptive style by writing a passage about your own family and the passage of time
About the publisher
Jiangsu Phoenix Literature and Art Publishing House focuses on literary publishing while also covering the humanities, social sciences, and books on art and daily life. Its approximately 1,535 titles in the database span social novels, world history, design, science fiction, classic works, and film and television: they include modern Chinese literary classics by Lu Xun such as A Madman's Diary: The Complete Short Stories of Lu Xun, Call to Arms, Four Generations Under One Roof, and Teahouse, as well as foreign literary memoirs like Stefan Zweig's The World of Yesterday. In science fiction it offers Asimov's Galactic Empire series, while in architecture and art it publishes Liu Dunzhen's Classical Gardens of Suzhou and design titles from Phoenix Space. Its authors are concentrated among classic writers such as Lu Xun, Zweig, and Asimov, with translators including Liang Xijiang, Zhong Haonan, and Ye Lihua. Its overall character is built on classic works while embracing genre fiction and visual culture. Public information is limited, and this introduction is based on the titles in the database.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 真情流露 写人抒情
- 我是扬州人
- 背影
- 冬天
- 女人
- 阿河
- 择偶记
- 给亡妇
- 房东太太
- 白种人——上帝的骄子！
- 飘零
- 白采
- 我所见的叶圣陶
- 教育家夏丏尊先生
- 《子恺漫画》代序
- 观察生活 写景抒情
- 匆匆
- 春
- 看花
- 荷塘月色
- 白马湖
- 桨声灯影里的秦淮河
- 潭柘寺 戒坛寺
- 外东消夏录
- 松堂游记
- 威尼斯
- 荷兰
- 圣诞节
- 观察社会 说理抒情
- 父母的责任
- 儿女
- 正义
- 论气节
- 沉默
- 说话
- 论废话
- 论不满现状
- 论青年
- 论百读不厌
- 论书生的酸气
- 论雅俗共赏
- “海阔天空”与“古今中外”
- 《背影》 独家中考学习手册
- 导读 朱自清文本对中学生阅读的指导作用
- 中考写作三大考点
- 文学常识拓展
- 知识考点 查漏补缺
- 参考答案
FAQ
Does this book contain all of Zhu Ziqing's prose?
Is this book suitable for middle school students?
What is special about this edition of The Sight of Father's Back?
Related on WeRead
Comments
Find this book
This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.
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.
