Six Records of a Floating Life

by Shen Fu, Chiang Su-Hui (Introduction), Leonard Pratt (Introduction), Chiang Su-Hui (Translator), Leonard Pratt (Translator)

Overview

Six Records of a Floating Life (1809) is an extraordinary blend of autobiography, love story and social document written by a man who was educated as a scholar but earned his living as a civil servant and art dealer. In this intimate memoir, Shen Fu recounts the domestic and romantic joys of his marriage to Yün, the beautiful and artistic girl he fell in love with as a child. He also describes other incidents of his life, including how his beloved wife obtained a courtesan for him and reflects on his travels through China. Shen Fu's exquisite memoir shows six parallel 'layers' of one man's life, loves and career, with revealing glimpses into Chinese society of the Ch'ing Dynasty.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780141920344
Publisher:	Penguin Books, Limited
Publication date:	09/30/2004
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	409,678
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Leonard Pratt is the bureau chief for NBC News in Hong Kong.

Chiang Su-Hui was born and educated in Taiwan. She has a degree in Chinese law and has worked as an educator, writer and broadcaster.

Leonard Pratt is the bureau chief for NBC News in Hong Kong.
Chiang Su-Hui was born and educated in Taiwan. She has a degree in Chinese law and has worked as an educator, writer and broadcaster.

Table of Contents

Introduction		9	(7)
Chronology		16	(3)
Weights and Measures		19	(4)
Six Records of a Floating Life
PART I: The Joys of the Wedding Chamber		23	(30)
PART II: The Pleasures of Leisure		53	(18)
PART III: The Sorrows of Misfortune		71	(28)
PART IV: The Delights of Roaming Afar		99	(46)
Appendices		145	(2)
1 A History of Life at Chungshan		145	(1)
2 The Way of Living		145	(2)
Notes		147	(18)
Maps		165