Fortress besieged ebook

Sentences that are most likely dripping with irony come across as confusing or incoherent. Fortress Besieged needs an update.

I'd be willing to try it again some day if a superior translation ever emerges. I found this book readable, I think I should enjoy reading its Chinese copy more but I know just few Chinese words so I ordered a copy and gave it as a present to T.

View all 5 comments. An odd book, sometimes clunky, but which ultimately stuck with me. The clunkiness is fairly straightforward: it reads more like a series of novellas parodying familiar genres the tourist novella, the road trip novella, the campus novel, the romantic comedy, the romantic farce.

Each of them has its merits, and they do hold together, just, but the structure is very odd. I'm unsure of the commenta An odd book, sometimes clunky, but which ultimately stuck with me. I'm unsure of the commentators' attempts to turn the book into a kind of existentialist zeitgeist thing about "what it means to be a 20th century Chinese man". I'm very sure that readers of twentieth century Anglofiction will enjoy it, as will any academics anywhere at anytime.

Humorous of harsh language and the deeper observation on life. The title is based on a French proverb: Marriage is like a fortress besieged: those who are outside want to get in, and those who are inside want to get out.

Feb 22, Harker US Library rated it really liked it. That means the pool of books available to American readers in translation from, say, Mandarin is relatively limited—only works of scholarly interest, unusual acclaim, or specifically Western appeal make their way to our libraries. Not only has it been the object of intense study and widespread consumption in the seventy-five years since its publication, but its consistent references to Western proverbs and literature make it uniquely relatable to an American audience.

The excellent translation by Nathan K. Mao and Jeanne Kelly also helps. It's the kind of classic masterpiece that you have to read in its original language to understand the subtlety, I can't even imagine how the translators could reproduce author's writing style. Oct 09, Kobe Bryant rated it it was ok. Apr 01, Mimi rated it really liked it.

This is a satirical comedy of manners set in China in during the Japanese invasion, which only appears in the background. The language takes a little getting used to whether due to the translation or not, I couldn't tell. Almost every page has a funny metaphor, for instance: "He didn't realize that a person's shortcomings are just like a monkey's tail.

When it's squatting on the ground, it's tail is hidden from view, but as soon as it climbs a tree, it exposes it's backside to everyone. Nev This is a satirical comedy of manners set in China in during the Japanese invasion, which only appears in the background. Nevertheless, the long tail and red bottom were there all the time. They aren't just a mark of having climbed to a higher position. Those outside want to get in.

The same is true for marriage, for careers, and for much of what we want in life. Jan 04, Zoe rated it it was amazing. The original is much better than the translation but I guess this is unavoidable. There is much essence lost in the attempt to fit intricate Asian subtleties into western concepts. Great Chinese book, one I hope to read again.

Funny, insightful, philosophical -- not much more one could ask from a book. Aug 29, Jeffrey rated it really liked it. There is so little I can say that will do this book justice because the story really does not go much of anywhere, the main character, Fang Hung-Chien more "Marriage is like a fortress besieged: those who are outside want to get in, and those who are inside want to get out.

There is so little I can say that will do this book justice because the story really does not go much of anywhere, the main character, Fang Hung-Chien more or less goes wherever the winds of war, love and job availability takes him. Instead, Fortress Besieged strengths lie in two parts, the first being its vivid writing capable of capturing the confused and coy romances of its characters and the second, twice the size the first, is the effortlessly clever sarcasm and wit absolutely dripping off each page.

Every part of the book, from its story to its characters, to its page-by-page narration and descriptions provides an avenue for some geopolitical takedown, a tongue-in-cheek observation or a rambling diatribe decrying the failings of modern academia. The jokes range from biting to playful, to bitter and sad. I can't count the number of times I laughed aloud or thought to myself how poignant and accurate this nearly century old work could be. Fortress Besieged is a hilarious and insightful book, but to try and explain exactly why is to try and explain a joke -- it just doesn't work.

So rather than fumble with my own clumsy words, here are a few choice passages in the early chapters of the book that I couldn't help but appreciate: Hung-Chien on the subject of faking his college degree: "Fang had once been a philosophy major, and to a philosophy major lying and cheating were not always immoral.

In Plato's Ideal State soldiers were justified in fooling the enemy, doctors in fooling their patients and officials in fooling the people. I'm not really guarding my health. I'm just babying it so it won't give me any trouble. Strictly speaking, they shouldn't be called philosphers, but rather 'philophilosophers.

Yet he was waiting for their praise, despite the knowledge he wouldn't be satisfied with it; it was like finding a pack of cigarettes when one craves opium. But don't get it wrong, Fortress Besieged is not a joke-per-page kind of book, in fact, it never really feels as though it treats itself as a comedy or as it is billed, a satire.

So much of what happens in the story is delivered as dryly as possible that there are times where it becomes difficult or slow to read. There is no pomp, there is no circumstance, the humor lies in its observations of everyday life and the jokes come up naturally.

Therein lies Qian Zhongshu's true talent: he doesn't need to force his characters into ridiculous scenarios, reality is already funny enough, all he needs to do is point it out. This is a very interesting book because the author has been a unique Chinese scholar, well versed in both Chinese and Western literature. It is the story of a humanistic studies graduate who returns to China in after spending some time in Europe and tries to move on with his life, resulting in many humorous situations.

It is in essence a social satire of the Chinese society of the time, but because of its many references to western habits, customs and works of art it is very appealing to we This is a very interesting book because the author has been a unique Chinese scholar, well versed in both Chinese and Western literature. It is in essence a social satire of the Chinese society of the time, but because of its many references to western habits, customs and works of art it is very appealing to westerners as well - unlike many Chinese novels.

The dialogs with the American-wannabe trade representative Mr. Jimmy Chang are hillarious! There are also many references to Chinese works or literature which makes it even more interesting to readers interested in China. I found the last part, after the return to Shanghai, somewhat longer than necessary and a bit tiring - else I would have given this book 5 stars.

Mar 28, Miaaa rated it really liked it. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. One of the best novel I have read in years. I wish the ending is more complete. It left me with a sense of emptiness, like a glass of water spilled, since I had invested so much anticipation in it.

Maybe such an ending is its honest portrait. Mar 22, Liam Connolly added it. Whatever the Chinese is for 'this was pretty good and I enjoyed it' Whatever the Chinese is for 'this was pretty good and I enjoyed it' Excellent read! I'm not a fast reader, but this book couldn't be put down.

As a married English teacher living in China, there are so many things that I can relate to. And it gave my the deepest insight yet to personal relationships of the people of China. Of course, it's only fiction, but it's very difficult for foreigners to get a glimpse into the personal lives of Chinese. It's a great book on many levels. Sep 14, Marcel Meyer rated it it was amazing.

It is surprising that Qian is not better known in the Western world. His only novel is a masterpiece that has its rightful place amongst the best of the 20th century.

It has everything a novel needs. It's funny, it's clever, it's multi-layered, has skillful character portrays and references to literature world-wide!

What more would you want of a book! Jan 15, Ross rated it liked it. A decent satire. Really liked the sense of humour, but the storyline was far too slow for me. Oct 28, Ted Tyler rated it really liked it Shelves: china. Fantastic satirical novel that portrays different aspects of Chinese Culture in the late s. Great dialogue, character development, and plot line. Main topics are education, social relationships, family dynamics, and differences between Eastern and Western schools of thought.

Mar 16, Memnoch d devil rated it it was amazing Shelves: chinese-lit. Love this book a academic satire n human behavior. So fun n fresh. It showed the spiritual outlook of some Chinese intellectuals in the early days of the Anti-Japanese War by telling the protagonist Fang Hongjian 's feelings and career development. Qian Zhongshu was born in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province in and died in When we don't have something, we try my best to imagine a beautiful scene.

And when you have it, you feel bothered by it. Probably we can only see advantages when viewed from a distance, and only see bad results when seen close. Zhang Ailing wrote in "Red Roses and White Roses," "Married with red roses, after a long time, the red rose became mosquito blood on the wall. But the white rose was still the moonlight in front of the window.

Married with white roses, the white rose becomes rice sticky on the clothes. But the red one is a cinnabar mole on the heart. When we don't have it now, don't envy others. Cherish it when we own it. Not depressed for being single, not troublesome for owning a girlfriend. Release 17 February Subjects Fiction Literature Historical Fiction. Search for a digital library with this title Search by city, ZIP code, or library name Learn more about precise location detection.

View more libraries Qian writes, "With Miss Pao it wasn't a matter of heart or soul. She hadn't any change of heart, since she didn't have a heart. Soon Fang is trapped into a marriage of Nabokovian proportions of distress and absurdity. You've reached the maximum number of titles you can currently recommend for purchase. Your session has expired. Please sign in again so you can continue to borrow titles and access your Loans, Wish list, and Holds pages.

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