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Diary of a Madman and Other Stories (1918)

by Lu Xun

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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311483,926 (3.86)8
"Here at last is an accurate and enjoyable rendering of Lu Xun's fiction in an American English idiom that masterfully captures the sardonic wit, melancholy pathos, and ironic vision of China's first truly modern writer." -Michael S. Duke, University of British ColumbiaThe inventor of the modern Chinese short story, Lu Xun is universally regarded as twentieth century Chinas greatest writer. This long awaited volume presents new translations of all Lu Xuns stories, including his first, Remembrances of the Past, written in classical Chinese. These new renderings faithfully convey both the brilliant style and the pungent expression for which Lu Xun is famous.Also included are a substantial introduction by the translator and sufficient annotation to make the stories fully accessible, enabling readers approaching Lu Xun for the first time to appreciate why these stories occupy a permanent place not only in Chinese literature but in world literature as well.… (more)
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Showing 4 of 4
Comprising Lu Xun’s two published collections of short stories, Cheering From the Sidelines, (1922) and Wondering Where to Turn (1925), these translations by William Lyell reveal Lu Xun as one of the supreme masters of the short story to rank alongside Chekhov and Maupassant, and the greatest writer of modern China, at once that country’s Dickens and Joyce.

Read the full review on The Lectern ( )
6 vote tomcatMurr | Nov 27, 2017 |
The story begins with the narrator's visit to a pair of brothers who were close friends of his during his school years. The older brother informs him that the younger one suffered from a mental illness but got better and took a job in another city. During the time of his illness the brother kept a diary that the narrator is allowed to read. This is the "madman's diary" . The diary tells of the protagonist's growing obsession with the cannibalism which he believes is routinely practiced by those around him. He is convinced that sooner or later he will be eaten. As his paranoia increases, and with it his sense that cannibalism is widespread and prevalent even within his family, he despairs of saving himself.

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1 vote Olivermagnus | Jan 17, 2016 |
I listened to the title story, rather than read the book (which might have made a difference). The madness of the protagonist was delineated very quickly and like ripples from a stone dropped into a pool, it rapidly and obsessively spread out with more and more detail. But the stone that sunk to the depths? The original causation factor? That was missing which left the book frustratingly without depth. Perhaps this is what madness looks like, it certainly isn't madness explained.
( )
  Petra.Xs | Apr 2, 2013 |
Very short story. Man studies Confucian classics, thinks people are going to eat him. There's a bit of a political metaphor.

EEEEEEE­©E­E! (Save the children!) ( )
  HadriantheBlind | Mar 30, 2013 |
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Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Lu Xunprimary authorall editionscalculated
Lyell, William A.Translatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed

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"Here at last is an accurate and enjoyable rendering of Lu Xun's fiction in an American English idiom that masterfully captures the sardonic wit, melancholy pathos, and ironic vision of China's first truly modern writer." -Michael S. Duke, University of British ColumbiaThe inventor of the modern Chinese short story, Lu Xun is universally regarded as twentieth century Chinas greatest writer. This long awaited volume presents new translations of all Lu Xuns stories, including his first, Remembrances of the Past, written in classical Chinese. These new renderings faithfully convey both the brilliant style and the pungent expression for which Lu Xun is famous.Also included are a substantial introduction by the translator and sufficient annotation to make the stories fully accessible, enabling readers approaching Lu Xun for the first time to appreciate why these stories occupy a permanent place not only in Chinese literature but in world literature as well.

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