Extracurricular Reading Classics (2 Volumes)

Zhu Ziqing / Lu XunChina Friendship Publishing Company · ChinaJun 2023

3.5

Word count: 315K words
Chapters: 61

Summary

Classic Readings is an important achievement of Zhu Ziqing's research and teaching in Chinese studies. It offers interpretations of such classics as Explanation of Graphs and Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), The Book of Changes, The Book of Documents, The Book of Songs, Intrigues of the Warring States, Records of the Grand Historian, and The Book of Han, in 13 chapters that systematically introduce the development and historical context of classical Chinese literature. It is a classic among introductory works on traditional Chinese culture. The organization and explanation of these classics are concise, incisive, accessible, and fluent—ideal for young readers to learn about Chinese studies, strengthen their Chinese-language skills, and pass on China's outstanding ancient culture.

Diary of a Madman: The Complete Novels of Lu Xun includes all the stories from Call to Arms, Wandering, and Old Tales Retold—33 in total. Most depict the tragedies of ordinary people in the lower strata of society. With a pen as sharp as a dagger, Lu Xun criticizes the "numb souls of the Chinese people" in the hope of awakening them. His stories mainly oppose feudalism, ritual propriety, tradition, and superstition; they excel at creating typical characters and satirizing people's dark sides, and most are set in his hometown. Characters such as Ah Q, Xianglin Sao, Kong Yiji, and Runtu are household names in China.

Editor's review

These two volumes place Zhu Ziqing's introduction to Chinese studies alongside the complete fiction of Lu Xun, creating a fascinating contrast: on one side, a clear, orderly survey of classics such as Explanation of Graphs and Characters, The Book of Changes, The Book of Songs, and Records of the Grand Historian teaches readers how to understand ancient texts; on the other, 33 stories—including "Diary of a Madman," "The True Story of Ah Q," and "The New Year's Sacrifice"—present the fate and inner lives of ordinary people in the old society. Zhu's section is concise and fluent, making complex scholarly questions accessible even to young readers; it serves well as a foundation for learning traditional culture and Chinese language. Lu Xun's section provides literary and intellectual impact: characters like Ah Q, Xianglin Sao, and Kong Yiji are themselves key entry points for understanding modern China. Read together, the two volumes offer both a skeleton of knowledge and the flesh and blood of emotion and critique—books to keep by the desk for repeated reading rather than put aside after one pass.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Middle and high school students seeking to build foundational knowledge of Chinese studies and improve their reading of classical Chinese and poetry
Chinese-language teachers and self-learners who want a systematic overview of the development of classical Chinese texts
General readers interested in using Lu Xun's fiction to understand modern literature and social critique
Parents choosing classic extracurricular reading for their children

Not a good fit for

Young children who want only light stories and lack patience for introductions to the classics
Advanced researchers expecting detailed annotations and full translations of every piece
Readers who find Lu Xun's satire and tragic depictions oppressive

Reading tips

Read Classic Readings first to build a framework, then read Lu Xun's fiction; the understanding will be richer.
After each chapter of Classic Readings, retell the key points in your own words; do not force yourself to memorize dates.
For Lu Xun's fiction, start with "Hometown" and "Kong Yiji," then move on to pieces such as "Diary of a Madman."
Read the two volumes in parallel and connect the classics Zhu Ziqing discusses with the society Lu Xun portrays.

About the publisher

China Friendship Publishing Company China · Founded in 1983

China Friendship Publishing Company is a comprehensive publisher known for its literary titles, covering classical Chinese literature, foreign literature, folk literature and cultural appreciation. According to the books in the database, its classical list includes celebrated dramas and novels such as The Peony Pavilion, The Romance of the Western Chamber and Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, as well as note-style classics like Hong Mai's Rongzhai Suibi. In foreign literature it offers translations of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, Kawabata Yasunari's Snow Country and Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl, involving translators such as Zeng Siyi. It also publishes The Complete Literary Works of Lu Xun and titles associated with the "Xue'er Shuguan" editorial group, balancing the collation and popularization of classic texts. Public information on its publishing features and plans is limited; the above is summarized only from the books in the database.

版权信息
经典常谈
序
《说文解字》第一
《周易》第二
《尚书》第三
《诗经》第四
三《礼》第五
《春秋》三传第六
“四书”第七
《战国策》第八
《史记》《汉书》第九
诸子第十
辞赋第十一
诗第十二
文第十三
附录
《唐诗三百首》指导大概
《古诗十九首》释
狂人日记：鲁迅小说全集
导读
一、鲁迅其人其事
二、鲁迅的性格形成
呐喊
《呐喊》自序
狂人日记
孔乙己
药
明天
一件小事
头发的故事
风波
故乡
阿Q正传
端午节
白光
兔和猫
鸭的喜剧
社戏
彷徨
祝福
在酒楼上
幸福的家庭
肥皂
长明灯
示众
高老夫子
孤独者
伤逝
弟兄
离婚
故事新编
序言
补天
奔月
理水
采薇
铸剑
出关
非攻
起死

FAQ

Is this set suitable for primary school students?

Not very suitable for younger primary school students. Classic Readings involves knowledge of ancient texts such as Explanation of Graphs and Characters and The Book of Changes and requires some reading foundation; the satirical and tragic themes in Lu Xun's fiction are also more adult-oriented. It is best for children in middle school or above, or those with an early interest in the classics, to read with a parent or teacher.

Does Classic Readings need to be read in order?

Not strictly. The 13 chapters are each self-contained; you can start with The Book of Songs or Records of the Grand Historian, which may be more familiar, then go back to less familiar sections such as Explanation of Graphs and Characters and The Book of Changes. Each chapter is short, suitable for reading in scattered sessions.

Which works are included in the Lu Xun fiction section?

It includes all the stories from Call to Arms, Wandering, and Old Tales Retold—33 in total—including famous pieces such as "Diary of a Madman," "The True Story of Ah Q," "The New Year's Sacrifice," "Kong Yiji," and "Hometown," giving readers a complete view of Lu Xun's fiction.

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About the author

Zhu Ziqing Author · Chinese · 1898–1948

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.

Lu Xun Author · China · 1881–1936

Lu Xun, originally named Zhou Shuren and styled Yucai, was a native of Shaoxing, Zhejiang, and a leading modern Chinese writer and thinker as well as a representative figure of the New Culture Movement. With works such as "A Madman's Diary" and "The True Story of Ah Q," he laid the foundation of modern Chinese fiction. His writing often focuses on the spiritual condition of ordinary people and on social reality, in a cold, concise style rich in critique and self-reflection. His story collections "Call to Arms" and "Wandering" and his prose collection "Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk" are widely read, and his works are often classified as classics, social fiction, and documentary literature. The library holds as many as 499 editions of his works, showing that they continue to be read, anthologized, and circulated. Public information is limited, so this is only a brief account of his life's key points and creative character.