Rigid Adherence

Chen HengqingNanhai Publication Company · ChinaSep 2023

2.7

Word count: 727 words
Chapters: 2

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Summary

This book is Jiao Zhi (Stubborn Clinging), by Chen Hengqing.

Editor's review

The title Jiao Zhi itself works like a wedge driven between the reader's usual notions of "persistence" and "obsession." In this work Chen Hengqing continues his attention to the dark corners of human nature and the dilemmas of everyday life, restoring "clinging" from a personality label to choices and costs within concrete circumstances. The book's strength lies not in offering answers but in letting the clingers speak for themselves, letting readers see how obsession grows, how it entangles, how it deforms through friction with others and with reality. The narrative pace is restrained and the details dense, suited to slow reading in quiet hours, pausing every few pages to think about the people and things around you. It offers no cheap release, nor does it reduce complex problems to platitudes; it is closer to a mirror: you will recognize yourself in some passages, and perhaps recognize parts you would rather not admit in others. It suits readers interested in questions of human nature who are willing to examine themselves through reading, and also writing enthusiasts observing how the author handles the motif of "clinging." A caveat: the book does not excel at plot-driven momentum, and readers seeking thrills or fast-paced stories may find it slow.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers interested in human nature and psychological themes who are willing to read slowly and reflect
Writing enthusiasts who want to observe how the motif of "obsession" is concretely narrated
Readers at a crossroads in life who want literature to illuminate their own situation
Readers who enjoy restrained narration and dense detail rather than strong plot

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer fast-paced, high-conflict plot-driven fiction
Those hoping for clear answers or practical methods from the book
Readers impatient with slow pacing and heavy psychological description

Reading tips

Read one or two chapters a day, pause a few minutes afterward, and note the details that move you
When you reach a character's point of clinging, try writing "what would I do," then compare with later passages
List the recurring images or behaviors in the book separately and observe how they change
A week after finishing, revisit your notes and judge whether your judgments have changed

About the publisher

Nanhai Publication Company China · Founded in 1988

Nanhai Publication Company is a comprehensive publisher known for its literature and arts titles, covering fields such as classical poetry, martial arts fiction, and folk literature. Judging from the more than 1,600 books in the database, the company has released classical poetic works including the Nineteen Old Poems and the Nine Songs, as well as multiple volumes of Huanzhulouzhu's series The Swordsmen of Mount Shu, along with related writings by authors such as Guan Hanqing, Qu Yuan, Zuo Si, and Wang Zhihuan. Its publishing character lies in balancing the organization of classic texts with the dissemination of popular literature, placing poetry anthologies alongside long martial arts novels and presenting a relatively diverse literary profile. Public information is limited, and further details about its editorial practices and series planning remain to be supplemented.

版权信息
胶执

FAQ

Is this book a novel or a collection of essays?

The materials identify it only as a work by Chen Hengqing, without specifying the genre. Judging by its texture, it is closer to a narrative work centered on characters' circumstances and psychology. Readers are advised to enter it as they would a novel, without assuming it must deliver conclusions.

Is it heavy to read?

The book deals with clinging and predicaments; its tone is restrained rather than light, but it does not deliberately sensationalize suffering. If your emotional load is heavy lately, you can slow down and read in sections rather than finishing in one sitting.

Is it suitable for a book club?

Yes. The characters' choices and costs leave ample room for discussion; a book club could explore topics such as "the boundary between persistence and obsession" and "the impact of obsession on those around us," which readily provoke debate among different positions.

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About the author

Chen Hengqing Author · Chinese · 1844–1920

Chen Hengqing (1844–1920), courtesy name Zijiu, was a native of Weixian in Shandong (present-day Weicheng District, Weifang). A late Qing official and scholar, he passed the provincial examination in 1873 and the metropolitan examination in 1886. He served successively as a secretary in the Ministry of Works, rising through the Waterways, Construction, and Colonization Departments, and later held posts as Supervising Censor of the Ministry of War, Investigating Censor of the Henan Circuit, and Chief Supervising Censor. In 1908 he was appointed prefect of Jinzhou. He retired at sixty and wrote works including Jianshu Xian Notes (also known as Jili Qingtan) and Unofficial Gleanings of the Late Qing. His extant writings are considerable, with 154 titles held in our collection, many drawing on folk literature and Eastern philosophy. They touch on modern upheavals such as the militia conflicts, the Boxer movement, and the Nian rebels, as well as rural tales and social types like foxes and swindlers, and social issues such as Manchu-Han differences, bearing the documentary flavor of note-style historiography. Public information is limited, and his literary standing and influence await further study.