Blue and White

Name: Blue and White
ISBN: 9787521234169

林彦Writers Publishing House · ChinaMar 2026

3.9

Word count: 105K words
Chapters: 28
ISBN: 9787521234169

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Summary

Lin Yan's novella and short story collection *Blue and White* comprises seven works: "Blue and White," "To the Left of the Pear Tree Stands the Locust," "Dian Dian's Tree," "Afternoon Ballad," "Remember," "The Button's Color Is the Sky's Color," and "The Summer Umbrella." These stories depict childhoods that seem less than perfect—memories of an orphanage, congenital illness, broken and complicated families, a poor child's self-reliance… The gifts fate brings include harvest and joy, and often also the unexpected, the helpless, melancholy, and regret. Whatever the circumstances, a brave and tender heart can strive to face them. These stories stay close to the truth of life, create vivid and lively young characters, and can bring young readers the courage to confront life's unpredictability. Most are set against the backdrop of Jiangnan's water towns and possess a graceful literary poetry.

Editor's review

Lin Yan's *Blue and White* gathers seven novellas and short stories, most about "less than perfect" childhoods: memories of an orphanage, congenital illness, broken families, a poor child's self-reliance. Rather than turning hardship into melodrama, the author lets young people face the unexpected, the helpless, and the regret that fate brings with brave and tender hearts; what remains after reading is strength, not heaviness. Most stories are set in Jiangnan's water towns, with poetic language in which landscape and characters' inner lives reflect each other, giving the collection a distinct literary quality. Suitable for upper primary through junior high readers, and for parents and children to read together and then talk about what it means to be "imperfect"; language arts teachers can use it for short story appreciation and as models for writing.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Upper primary to junior high students willing to read coming-of-age stories with real-life depth
Parents and teachers concerned with childhood hardship and adolescent psychology
Literary readers who enjoy Jiangnan water-town settings and poetic prose
Language arts teachers selecting pieces for short story appreciation and writing instruction

Not a good fit for

Young children, as some stories involve illness, family breakdown, and other heavier content
Readers looking only for light, funny stories
Readers expecting a long, continuous narrative

Reading tips

Read story by story, pausing after each to think about what choice the young protagonist made.
When reading together, talk about "imperfect childhood" and let children voice their own regrets.
Keep a pen handy and mark sentences where landscape and feeling echo each other, to appreciate the poetic technique.
Teachers can take one story for close reading and discuss the relationship between a character's circumstances and courage.

About the publisher

Writers Publishing House China · Founded in 1953

Writers Publishing House is a Chinese publisher focused mainly on literary publishing. Its output covers classical literature, foreign literature, folk literature and Eastern philosophy, with some extension into popular reading such as social fiction and parenting books. Its catalogue contains more than 900 titles, including representative works such as Dream of the Red Chamber and its edited editions, Shakespeare's Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream, and foreign literary classics such as The Brothers Karamazov and Lost Illusions. In terms of authors, it includes classical writers such as Cao Xueqin and Gao E, foreign masters such as William Shakespeare, Dostoevsky and Balzac, and translations by translators such as Zhu Shenghao, Geng Jizhi and Fu Lei. Overall, its publishing profile balances Chinese and foreign literary classics, emphasizes quality translations, and serves both academic and general readers; publicly available information on its specific publishing plans is limited.

版权信息
青花
1 青花未放
2 蓝
3 寂寞的蓝
4 有一点点冷的蓝
5 斑斓
6 鲜艳
7 你的蓝正笑着绽放
梨树的左边是槐树
点点的一棵树
老树
大妹妹
点点
钢琴
麻饼
蚕茧
午后歌谣
记得
前楼
窗外
贝壳
合欢
扣子的颜色是天空的颜色
夏天的伞
一
二
三

FAQ

Is this book suitable for primary school students?

It's better suited to upper primary and above. The book involves orphanage memories, illness, family breakdown, and similar themes that younger children may find hard to grasp; parents or teachers should look through it first before deciding.

Are the seven stories connected?

This is a collection of novellas and short stories; the seven pieces are independent, and characters and plots don't require continuous reading. You can read them in order or pick the ones that interest you first.

Are the stories too heavy?

The themes do involve imperfect childhoods, but the material emphasizes how young people face their circumstances with brave and tender hearts, landing on courage rather than dwelling on suffering. Reading may move you, but it isn't depressing.

Why is it described as having literary poetry?

Most stories are set in Jiangnan's water towns, with careful language and landscape descriptions that mirror characters' moods. As you read, notice how the scenic passages participate in the narrative.

Comments

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About the author

林彦 Author

Lin Yan is an author about whom limited public information is available. The database currently holds only one work by this author, Blue and White Porcelain (Qinghua), commonly classified as a classic work. Because there are no clear records of Lin Yan's nationality, dates of birth and death, educational background, or writing career, it is difficult to sketch a complete biography. Judging solely from the title and classification of Blue and White Porcelain, however, the writing appears to be connected with traditional Chinese objects, craftsmanship, or cultural memory, and carries a distinctly classic quality. Such subject matter usually requires the author to balance historical accuracy with literary expression, conveying an understanding and appreciation of traditional culture through detailed description. Although the number of works is small, its classification as a classic suggests a certain reading value and lasting significance. On the basis of the available information, Lin Yan seems to be a low-profile author who values quality over quantity, and the full picture of this author's work awaits further disclosure.