Recently, because I have read too many books on past history, it has plunged me into a rather pessimistic mood. After finishing these books, I plan to detach myself temporarily and read some lighter books to prevent myself from becoming depressed.
Books read this month:
- "Tombstone": Currently reading, depicting the history of the Great Leap Forward period. Two words to summarize: tragic, sad.
- "A Tear": Currently reading, a memoir by translator Wu Ningkun, recounting his family's turbulent life experiences in the last century, including anti-rightist campaigns, the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution... Additionally, his translation of "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" is widely circulated.
- "Siddhartha": Finished reading, recommended by Navarre and a friend who has since left. It tells the story of Siddhartha, a Brahmin's son who, after becoming a monk (renouncing the world), seeks enlightenment through the path of suffering, only to realize that the true path lies in reality, in knowing oneself.
- "Huagai Collection Sequel": Currently reading, a collection of essays by Lu Xun.
- "Four Books": Finished reading, a surreal novel by Yan Lianke, also set against the backdrop of the Great Leap Forward period. Reading it alongside "Tombstone," I found that the novel's imagination falls short compared to reality.
- "The Social Construction of Reality": Currently reading, a work of sociology. Whether due to the content being too esoteric or translation issues, I find it challenging to understand.
- "The Origin of Modern Chinese Nation": Finished reading, another work by Kong Feili following "Calling Souls." Although this book is not as systematic as "Calling Souls," it is still worth reading. After finishing it, I further felt a sense of sorrow—certain aspects of the system have remained unchanged for centuries.
- "Huagai Collection": Finished reading, a very good collection of essays by Lu Xun.
- "Calling Souls": Finished reading, author Kong Feili starts with the incident of calling souls and gradually analyzes the reasons behind the crackdown on this incident—political, social, cultural... Involving the centralization of power, the bureaucratic system, and the common people. Reading it now, it feels eerily familiar.
- "New Stories": Finished reading, quite average, especially if one is not familiar with the background of that era, it can feel dull to read.
- "Morning and Evening Walks": Finished reading, with many familiar chapters: Ah Q and "Classic of Mountains and Seas," from the Hundred Flowers Garden to the Three-Inch Golden Lotus, Mr. Teng Ye... It reads quite lightly.