The Citizen of the World

The Citizen of the World, Or, Letters from a Chinese Philosopher, Residing in London, to His Friends in the Country #1

by Oliver Goldsmith

Oriental letters being a literary fad of the day, it was inevitable that Oliver Goldsmith should indulge his whim of "leaving scarcely any kind of writing untouched;" hence his series of Letters from Lien Chi Altangi, the Chinese philosopher in London. These Chinese letters are in the strictest sense by a wide-experienced Citizen of the World. They photograph many a quaint character whose types are as familiar to us as his originals were to Goldsmith. The living portrait gallery will fit generations yet to come. Not characters only but movements, political and social, great problems in government, art, education, and taste are mirrored and discussed with a breadth and charm not found elsewhere. Goldsmith's many-sidedness is displayed in these Letters, which are occasionally elaborated in other of his writings.

Genres: Fiction

Hardcover in slipcase

First published January 1, 1760

About the author

Literary reputation of Irish-born British writer Oliver Goldsmith rests on his novel The Vicar of Wakefield (1766), the pastoral poem The Deserted Village (1770), and the dramatic comedy She Stoops to Conquer (1773).

This Anglo-Irish poet, dramatist, novelist, and essayist wrote, translated, or compiled more than forty volumes. Good sense, moderation, balance, order, and intellectual honesty mark the works for which people remember him.

Reviews

[Svetlana · Rating 4 out of 5]

С этой книжкой произошел прикольный случай. Мы летели в Шанхай, я сижу, читаю. А мой попутчик у меня спрашивает, что читаю. Я думаю, не буду особо выпендриваться и говорить название, и сказала – да так, про нравы англичан 18 века. Он так поморщился и говорит: «А-а-а, историческая значит». Я: «Ага» :)))
В целом книжка конечно же интересная – про китайца Лян Чи Альтанчжи, который приехал в Англию изучать местные нравы, про то, как он сравнивает местные обычаи со своими, китайскими, и ведет переписку со своими друзьями на востоке. Книга очень огромная, у меня читалка висла наверное неделю, пока я не сообразила, что это от этой книжки. Очень, очень полезно и познавательно. А главное – с юмором :))) Так что советую, для развлечения и не только.

[Tommy P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good fun in this book of witty criticism of the habits and foibles of 18th century English society. I confess some of it went over my head. Sure would be nice to discover a source of analysis and explanation.
Still, I enjoyed it.

[Noura Ragab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moral certainty collapses when seen through a different cultural lens.