City of Lingering Splendour
by John Blofeld
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Description
"In his early twenties, John Blofeld spent what he describes as "three exquisitely happy years" in Peking during the era of the last emperor, when the breathtaking greatness of China's ancient traditions was still everywhere evident. Arriving in 1934, he found a city imbued with the atmosphere of the recent imperial past and haunted by the powerful spirit of the late Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi. He entered a world of magnificent palaces and temples of the Forbidden City, of lotus-covered lakes show more and lush pleasure-gardens, of bustling bazaars and peaceful bathhouses, and of "flower houses" with their beautiful young courtesans versed in the arts of pleasing men. With a novelists' command of detail and dialogue, Blofeld vividly re-creates the magic of these years and conveys to the reader his appreciation and nostalgia for a way of life long vanished." show lessTags
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Many foreigners have written books about their stays in China. In fact, many appear to feel themselves obligated to do so, and produce some of the worst, self-important drivel ever put between two covers. Blofeld does not fall into that category. If you have ever had the chance to wander through any of the surviving back alleys of Beijing, you will be entranced by this highly literate, deeply felt work.
Classic account of the hidden side of 1930s Beijing by a famous British scholar of China.
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Author Information
60+ Works 2,060 Members
John Blofeld (1913-1987) was a scholar and writer who devoted his life to the study of Eastern traditions, especially Buddhism and Taoism. He is also the author of City of Lingering Splendor and Wheel of Life: The Autobiography of a Western Buddhist.
Common Knowledge
- Original title
- City of Lingering Splendour. A frank account of old Peking's exotic pleasures.
- Important places
- China; Peking, China
- Dedication
- Dedicated to the hermits, scholars, youths and courtesans who inspired these pages.
- First words
- When after a lapse of several decades a man recalls the chief object of his youthful devotion, he seldom achieves simple truth.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)...the Pekingese I knew had rare virtues. For wisdom, urbanity, moderation, decorous behavior, skill in arts and joyous appreciation of beauty in all its forms, they remain unequalled by the inhabitants of any city in the world today.
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, History, Travel, General Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Biography & Memoir
- DDC/MDS
- 951.156 — History & geography History of Asia East Asia: China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea Northeast China Hebei, Tianjin, Beijing Beijing
- LCC
- DS795.2 .B56 — History of Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania Asia History of Asia China Local history and description
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 49
- Popularity
- 614,066
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (4.25)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 2
