Funny that you mentioned Proust, because when you first held up the stack of books, I thought that that's what they were going to be and was prepared to roll my eyes. 😄 I love hearing about books and authors I've never even heard of before. It's such a rare thing on the book internet…
Save your eye rolling for when I DO read Proust as it'll be in the original French just so that I can one-up all the other booktubers out there. It'll be a grand old time! Thanks for stopping by! :)
Exciting! Love the flower combination. The crimson tulips look gorgeous, hope it works!! I still want to read The water margin, but in French. And get it from a physical store. Love it when there are notes and explanation with these big classics. At least when I know when the book is about, as you say, otherwise you get spoiled. This going to be a long comment. Do you struggle with names in Chinese and therefore registering who is who? I tend mix characters up when I am not used to their names.. Ok I need to plant the seeds I have. Seeing plants come out it so much fun. The story of the stone sounds really good! Might abandon the Water margin reading 'plans' The hyacinths are beautiful!! Excited for the next vlog
I was afraid I'd get confused with all the Chinese names but because all the characters are in one family, it's easier. The main characters are part of the Jia family so you can just look at the family tree in the back of the book. Then characters who relate to them are always given by their titles, cousin, aunt, uncle, or such. Then you have the characters who interact with them and they are always mentioned as doctor, or monk, or whatever. So not too difficult. I'm also currently reading a nonfiction about China right now and there no one is related so no way I'll remember any of the names. As you said, I'm just not used to Chinese names so it's much harder. I think Story of the Stone might be a better book to start off with than The Water Margin. Much more depth in story and characters which I think you'll like. I didn't like any of the French options available which is I why I went with the English on this one. I originally planned on reading it in French. I'm also super excited about my flowers. Every day is an adventure. In fact every two hours I can see differences with the tulips. It's amazing! They grow so fast!
Sorry for my poor English, I admire your courage to read this great work after watching your video. This book is called the Chinese Encyclopedia. The author of the book said that this book was written with his blood (Of course this is a metaphor that the process of writing this book was very painful). Many Chinese people find it very difficult to read. In China, people usually think that they have to read it five times before they can understand what is expressed in it. There are a lot of historical stories, poems and essays in this book, as well as Chinese customs and arts, religion, philosophy, and songs. The names of every character in this book, including poems and songs, have metaphors in Chinese. Last year, because of these metaphors, poems, philosophy, and religion, three Dutch professors who studied Chinese studied translation for 13 years before translating Dutch. In the past, some people read this book so depressed and sad that they committed suicide, so it is called the greatest literary work in China. Interestingly, Chinese politicians, businessmen, and writers have different opinions on this book. They have been arguing for a hundred or two hundred years, so there is a special school (红学) to study it.
Thank you for your comment. Obviously a lot will be lost in English translation but it was a very readable story and I really enjoyed it. Everyone should read it!
You should not have kept it secret. I could have started the book at the same time as you. But then I still have 220 pages to go in The Gormenghast Trilogy. We had tulips and lilies instead of grass in front of our house, but then we sold the house and moved to a condo. I helped plant some tulips at the condo, so I can look out my second floor window where I sit at the computer, and watch them bloom. Still too early for them here in Edmonton. Maybe they will come up soon, since the snow in the tulip patch melted in the last couple of days. I have been watching daily update videos for the Tesla Giga Texas factory construction in Austin, and SpaceX in Boca Chica, so have seen some of the effects of the weather in Texas.
With my reading pace I’m sure if you started now you could still catch up! It’s been such a pleasure watching the tulips come out of the ground as you can’t grow many flowers in Texas. I’m definitely going to grow them every year now.
Hello. I was just about to start The Tale of Genji ( Royall Tyler) but after listening to you I find myself draw to the Story of the Stone. Wha Tod you think?
Both are excellent! I’d say stick with Genji for now since you’re already set up to read it. Not familiar with that version though. I read the famous Seidensticker translation.
🌷
Awesome video!
Thank you! Tulips and a great read makes a great combo. :)
Funny that you mentioned Proust, because when you first held up the stack of books, I thought that that's what they were going to be and was prepared to roll my eyes. 😄 I love hearing about books and authors I've never even heard of before. It's such a rare thing on the book internet…
Save your eye rolling for when I DO read Proust as it'll be in the original French just so that I can one-up all the other booktubers out there. It'll be a grand old time! Thanks for stopping by! :)
Oh, in that case, I'd be cheering you on! 😁
Wow, sounds like an amazing series! I need this in my life!😊
I think so too!
Exciting! Love the flower combination. The crimson tulips look gorgeous, hope it works!!
I still want to read The water margin, but in French. And get it from a physical store.
Love it when there are notes and explanation with these big classics. At least when I know when the book is about, as you say, otherwise you get spoiled.
This going to be a long comment.
Do you struggle with names in Chinese and therefore registering who is who? I tend mix characters up when I am not used to their names..
Ok I need to plant the seeds I have. Seeing plants come out it so much fun.
The story of the stone sounds really good! Might abandon the Water margin reading 'plans'
The hyacinths are beautiful!!
Excited for the next vlog
I was afraid I'd get confused with all the Chinese names but because all the characters are in one family, it's easier. The main characters are part of the Jia family so you can just look at the family tree in the back of the book. Then characters who relate to them are always given by their titles, cousin, aunt, uncle, or such. Then you have the characters who interact with them and they are always mentioned as doctor, or monk, or whatever. So not too difficult. I'm also currently reading a nonfiction about China right now and there no one is related so no way I'll remember any of the names. As you said, I'm just not used to Chinese names so it's much harder.
I think Story of the Stone might be a better book to start off with than The Water Margin. Much more depth in story and characters which I think you'll like. I didn't like any of the French options available which is I why I went with the English on this one. I originally planned on reading it in French.
I'm also super excited about my flowers. Every day is an adventure. In fact every two hours I can see differences with the tulips. It's amazing! They grow so fast!
Wow !!! Impressionant ! Courage pour la lecture de cet opus.
That was extremely insightful!
It is such a fun read!
@@tokyochemist You defo convinced me. And I ll go and buy the first volume as soon the shop open in April :)
Sorry for my poor English, I admire your courage to read this great work after watching your video. This book is called the Chinese Encyclopedia. The author of the book said that this book was written with his blood (Of course this is a metaphor that the process of writing this book was very painful). Many Chinese people find it very difficult to read. In China, people usually think that they have to read it five times before they can understand what is expressed in it. There are a lot of historical stories, poems and essays in this book, as well as Chinese customs and arts, religion, philosophy, and songs. The names of every character in this book, including poems and songs, have metaphors in Chinese. Last year, because of these metaphors, poems, philosophy, and religion, three Dutch professors who studied Chinese studied translation for 13 years before translating Dutch. In the past, some people read this book so depressed and sad that they committed suicide, so it is called the greatest literary work in China. Interestingly, Chinese politicians, businessmen, and writers have different opinions on this book. They have been arguing for a hundred or two hundred years, so there is a special school (红学) to study it.
Thank you for your comment. Obviously a lot will be lost in English translation but it was a very readable story and I really enjoyed it. Everyone should read it!
You should not have kept it secret. I could have started the book at the same time as you. But then I still have 220 pages to go in The Gormenghast Trilogy. We had tulips and lilies instead of grass in front of our house, but then we sold the house and moved to a condo. I helped plant some tulips at the condo, so I can look out my second floor window where I sit at the computer, and watch them bloom. Still too early for them here in Edmonton. Maybe they will come up soon, since the snow in the tulip patch melted in the last couple of days. I have been watching daily update videos for the Tesla Giga Texas factory construction in Austin, and SpaceX in Boca Chica, so have seen some of the effects of the weather in Texas.
With my reading pace I’m sure if you started now you could still catch up! It’s been such a pleasure watching the tulips come out of the ground as you can’t grow many flowers in Texas. I’m definitely going to grow them every year now.
Hello. I was just about to start The Tale of Genji ( Royall Tyler) but after listening to you I find myself draw to the Story of the Stone. Wha Tod you think?
Both are excellent! I’d say stick with Genji for now since you’re already set up to read it. Not familiar with that version though. I read the famous Seidensticker translation.