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The Old Man of the Moon
'Our passion was so great. Will the Old Man understand and help us once again?'
The Old Man of the Moon is Shen Fu's intimate and moving account of his marriage - from early passion to the trials of poverty and separation - and his great, enduring love for his wife in eighteenth-century China.
The Old Man of the Moon is Shen Fu's intimate and moving account of his marriage - from early passion to the trials of poverty and separation - and his great, enduring love for his wife in eighteenth-century China.
57 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1809
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2052 people want to read
About the author
Shěn Fù
11 books18 followersShěn Fù (simplified Chinese: 沈复; traditional Chinese: 沈復; 1763–1825?), courtesy name Sanbai (三白), was a Chinese writer of the Qing Dynasty, best known for the novel Six Records of a Floating Life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
March 9, 2016
Some men are just obsessed with their woman. Indeed, there is only one constant in Shen Fu’s life and that’s his wife Yun. Fate has brought them together and, according to them, will always keep them together. Their love knows no bounds and is immeasurable. Folk law suggests that is the old man in the moon that causes couples to meet, and they most ardently hope that he will keep them together forever.
People say that marriages are arranged by the old man in the moon…..”
However, despite their strong relationship there is little to this novella beyond that. It is a short tale of love, but I don’t think this has a strong overall message. Yes, he loved her a bit too deeply; yes, he became a little possessive, but I don’t this has any overreaching didactical purpose. His wife was dying, so surely he had a reason to cling to her? I don’t think there is an overall morale to this story; it is simply a man’s recounting of how much he loved his wife.
Overall, though, this is an interesting novella that is a pleasure to read, however, I just don’t think there is much to be gained from this; it lacked the impact that a story of this type needs. In all honesty I just don’t think it’s that memorable.
Penguin Little Black Classic- 60
The Little Black Classic Collection by penguin looks like it contains lots of hidden gems. I couldn’t help it; they looked so good that I went and bought them all. I shall post a short review after reading each one. No doubt it will take me several months to get through all of them! Hopefully I will find some classic authors, from across the ages, that I may not have come across had I not bought this collection.
People say that marriages are arranged by the old man in the moon…..”
However, despite their strong relationship there is little to this novella beyond that. It is a short tale of love, but I don’t think this has a strong overall message. Yes, he loved her a bit too deeply; yes, he became a little possessive, but I don’t this has any overreaching didactical purpose. His wife was dying, so surely he had a reason to cling to her? I don’t think there is an overall morale to this story; it is simply a man’s recounting of how much he loved his wife.
Overall, though, this is an interesting novella that is a pleasure to read, however, I just don’t think there is much to be gained from this; it lacked the impact that a story of this type needs. In all honesty I just don’t think it’s that memorable.
Penguin Little Black Classic- 60
The Little Black Classic Collection by penguin looks like it contains lots of hidden gems. I couldn’t help it; they looked so good that I went and bought them all. I shall post a short review after reading each one. No doubt it will take me several months to get through all of them! Hopefully I will find some classic authors, from across the ages, that I may not have come across had I not bought this collection.
April 5, 2019
“I felt like a bird that had lost its flock. My world was shaken.”
― Shen Fu, The Old Man of the Moon
Vol N° 60 of my Penguin Little Black Classics Box Set. This volume contains selection taken from Six Records of a Floating Life translated by Leonard Pratt and Chiang Su-hui.
Many of the world's great love stories are also tragedies. There is something about love and death, love and melancholy that pair together well. Shen Fu's story 'The Old Man of the Moon' tells the story of a couple, in love, that confront the challenges of life: family, work, poverty, emotions, etc. But the one thing they can't overcome is that all things end. That life is bounded. It has a beginning, middle, and eventually an end. This unavoidable end, makes the greater loves also greater in their tragedy.
I loved the idea and Shen Fu presented a moving portrait of lovers and a melancholy study of love. It was fascinating, just not perfect. It was boring in parts, other parts seemed to detract from the energy or focus of the story. In the end, I wasn't jumping out of my chair to buy more Shen Fu. And it might not be you Shen Fu, it could also be me. Perhaps, I just don't want to be reminded that all things, including love, die.
― Shen Fu, The Old Man of the Moon
Vol N° 60 of my Penguin Little Black Classics Box Set. This volume contains selection taken from Six Records of a Floating Life translated by Leonard Pratt and Chiang Su-hui.
Many of the world's great love stories are also tragedies. There is something about love and death, love and melancholy that pair together well. Shen Fu's story 'The Old Man of the Moon' tells the story of a couple, in love, that confront the challenges of life: family, work, poverty, emotions, etc. But the one thing they can't overcome is that all things end. That life is bounded. It has a beginning, middle, and eventually an end. This unavoidable end, makes the greater loves also greater in their tragedy.
I loved the idea and Shen Fu presented a moving portrait of lovers and a melancholy study of love. It was fascinating, just not perfect. It was boring in parts, other parts seemed to detract from the energy or focus of the story. In the end, I wasn't jumping out of my chair to buy more Shen Fu. And it might not be you Shen Fu, it could also be me. Perhaps, I just don't want to be reminded that all things, including love, die.
December 29, 2017
A very interesting tale about a man who loved his wife very deeply, too deeply in his opinion. He believes this was the cause of her early death and the two of them hope that "the old man of the moon", a spirit responsible for making marriages happen, will help them meet again in their future lives.
părere prezentată în acest wrap up, pe scurt: https://youtu.be/P0lwTX33rnw
părere prezentată în acest wrap up, pe scurt: https://youtu.be/P0lwTX33rnw
September 18, 2016
This is wonderfully written, although this is not my usual reading material it was warm. This little story comes across as one that needs to be read aloud and it works! Walking around the house reading this tale makes you feel that you are the narrator. A personal tale with added extras.
Not one to be read in silence, so all you nay sayers get up and read it again
Not one to be read in silence, so all you nay sayers get up and read it again
April 26, 2017
Is too deep a love really as dangerous as the protagonist tries to warn us? Or is the story highlighting the deliciousness of love even if it is short-lived? Moving and intense, this small black classic is a great short read.
January 19, 2016
Some nice passages, but overall didn't really hook me.
August 6, 2018
I enjoyed this - lovely writing, though a slightly odd ending/message.
March 7, 2023
I keep accidentally reading stories that revolve around love, but not the kind of normal teenage love you’d find across several posts. It’s the kind of romance that is allows you to breathe and appreciate what two people in love have.
The story is basically just Shen Fu recounting his day’s with his wife, Yun. At the surface, it is nothing more than a simple love story that chronicles their ups and downs. But, where the story shines is not in the ideas it presents as a whole. It glistens in the little dialogues and exchange that occurs between Shen and Yun, like the moon they both cherished. You could feel their love for each other brimming with every exchange of words, and even the interactions they have.
You have to admire the way Shen looks at Yun as a strong and talented woman as well — going as far as wishing that they were both men. It is here that the idea of reincarnation proposes a slight queer undertone as well. Lastly, part of the reason why I fell in love with the story is Shen Fu’s diction, as it is representative of 18th-19th century Chinese metaphors.
Personally, there is a lot to take away from this book, especially if you are familiar with Chinese or Asian culture. No story is safe from flaws like how this story or recount may be too simple or may bore some readers out yet there is a lot to unpack here, you only need to read it right.
But above all, I would have loved to see more of the couple’s little musings, if it weren’t that a human life would be too short.
One can only wonder, would the Old Man of the Moon help them reconnect their string in another life?
The story is basically just Shen Fu recounting his day’s with his wife, Yun. At the surface, it is nothing more than a simple love story that chronicles their ups and downs. But, where the story shines is not in the ideas it presents as a whole. It glistens in the little dialogues and exchange that occurs between Shen and Yun, like the moon they both cherished. You could feel their love for each other brimming with every exchange of words, and even the interactions they have.
You have to admire the way Shen looks at Yun as a strong and talented woman as well — going as far as wishing that they were both men. It is here that the idea of reincarnation proposes a slight queer undertone as well. Lastly, part of the reason why I fell in love with the story is Shen Fu’s diction, as it is representative of 18th-19th century Chinese metaphors.
Personally, there is a lot to take away from this book, especially if you are familiar with Chinese or Asian culture. No story is safe from flaws like how this story or recount may be too simple or may bore some readers out yet there is a lot to unpack here, you only need to read it right.
But above all, I would have loved to see more of the couple’s little musings, if it weren’t that a human life would be too short.
One can only wonder, would the Old Man of the Moon help them reconnect their string in another life?
December 21, 2016
A strange short story, as I understand it, taken from the book Six Records of a Floating Life, and published as a Penguin Little Black Classic.
It was easily enough to read, and followed a linear narrative. It was interesting and varied, and explained the authors relationship with his wife. The description "a Chinese official's all-consuming love for his wife", pretty much tells it all.
Not really my genre, and the closing paragraph was really not the moral-of-the-story that I was expecting, but a pretty entertaining hour or so of reading.
Three stars from me.
It was easily enough to read, and followed a linear narrative. It was interesting and varied, and explained the authors relationship with his wife. The description "a Chinese official's all-consuming love for his wife", pretty much tells it all.
Not really my genre, and the closing paragraph was really not the moral-of-the-story that I was expecting, but a pretty entertaining hour or so of reading.
Three stars from me.
October 24, 2018
I actually love the title. Story was beautifully written, a bit melancholic-- a memory of relationship since the day they both met and devoted to live together as soulmate. The love and care of a husband and such admiration and sincerity of both to each other, their hardship and struggle. Not much of a conflict, a bit of family story from both side. I love the writer's words and phrases, it was structured greatly, those scenery and vivid feelings. It ended well although a bit sad, but I quite like it anyway. "The strangest thing to me then was how old couples seemed to treat one another like enemies. I did not understand why. Yet people said, 'Otherwise, how could they grow old together?' Could this be true. I wondered."
August 27, 2020
Penguin describes this edition as a Chinese official's account of his all-consuming love for his wife, and that pretty much sums up the book. It is also an account of life in China in the 18th century of course, but it is the love story which is at the center of it. There were some touching moments, but overall I thought the style was a bit bleak - part of the essence might have been lost in translation, that is rather difficult for me to judge.
~Little Black Classics #60~
Find this and other reviews on https://www.urlphantomhive.com
~Little Black Classics #60~
Find this and other reviews on https://www.urlphantomhive.com
February 29, 2020
A rather strange book. I am not sure I understood all of it. Shen Fu is more known for his memoir, ‘Six Records of a Floating Life.’ That’s kind of the title for my memoir, if ever I have anything to write about.
But I digress. Back to the book. The ‘The Old Man of the Moon’ is not arranged chronologically, which caused me confusion in the reading of it, but if you are curious to know how life in China in the 18th century was, then this book casts a gentle light over it. There are some beautiful vignettes that made me wish I could go back to China all over again, Corona or not.
But I digress. Back to the book. The ‘The Old Man of the Moon’ is not arranged chronologically, which caused me confusion in the reading of it, but if you are curious to know how life in China in the 18th century was, then this book casts a gentle light over it. There are some beautiful vignettes that made me wish I could go back to China all over again, Corona or not.
December 28, 2015
The relationship was really sweet but the morale was not what I was expecting
October 21, 2018
The story isn't gripping (it's about a man who loves his wife very much), but I enjoyed the writing.
February 19, 2017
"Because you have loved me too much, I have had a short life"
February 9, 2024
i really enjoyed this classic. reading it felt like i was reading about myself and my boyfriend, albeit a century ago. from enjoying good food to making poems and admiring nature’s beauty. i saw myself in these pages, falling in love over and over again with the love of my life.
May 13, 2019
This was beautiful, but it was also super sad. It’s basically the lost and then rediscovered memoirs of the author and his relationship with his wife. But there’s no happy ending.
November 6, 2020
rating : 2.5
June 15, 2023
A classic kind of love, dem this is romance!
July 27, 2023
A short work that tells a nicely sedate story about a marriage that has a somewhat depressing conclusion and moral, don't love people too much otherwise you'll be devastated when they die.
February 22, 2024
very cute, weird message, but such a lovely account of an early 19th century marriage where husband and wife actually talked and laughed and like, wanted to hang out? very nice
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February 4, 2017
Rather curious one. It starts off fairly slowly and I did not really like it at first, but the melancholy of it all seeps through. There are beautiful moments and it is quite startling at times. I would say it was not written well, which is the main reason for not liking it as much as I think perhaps we should.
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March 7, 2019
I got this book from the library after recognizing it as a book in Penguin's Little Black Classics series. I had never heard of Shen Fu before, so I thought - what the hell, I need a classic from a previously unknown author. Although I had some other books planned for that point in the challenge, I decided to give this one a try.
This book engulfed me from the first page and kept me in its power until the last sentence. It was simply beautiful, a story of love.
This book engulfed me from the first page and kept me in its power until the last sentence. It was simply beautiful, a story of love.
February 3, 2016
Such a nice and sad story. It's the life of a very much in love couple, just a recount of how much a husband can love his wife, and how much they can enjoy their life together, even if they are poor and have nothing much but afternoon together discussing literature.
I love this little Penguin classics.
I love this little Penguin classics.
November 29, 2018
This book makes me feel sad... but i like it. Its hard to believe that this story is real (in a good way though) This book reminds me of a haiku poem, but a great epic as well at the same time. Read it -fight me if you think i'm wrong
August 10, 2017
An OK read, though cannot say that I'd ever read it again.
Will be checking out the others reads in this Penguin series. They are good sized short story books to read on journeys.
Will be checking out the others reads in this Penguin series. They are good sized short story books to read on journeys.
November 9, 2017
In Chinese folklore, Yue Lao is the God of love and marriage. He is immortal and is said to live in the moon.
Narrator of our story is a widower who sadly recalls his wife and their happy life in the past. He loved his wife so deep that when reading his memories during his marriage years, you feel the “romance in the air” and his true feelings.
“Alas! Yun came to this work a woman, but she had the feelings and abilities of a man. After she entered my home in marriage, I had to rush about daily to earn our clothing and food, there was never enough, but she never once complained. When I was living at home, all we had for entertainment was talk about literature. What a pity that she should have died in poverty and after long illness. And whose fault was it that she did? It was my fault, what else can I say? I would advise all the husbands and wives in the world not to hate one another, certainly, but also not to love too deeply. As it is said “an affectionate couple cannot grow ld together”. My example should serve as a warning to others.”
Simple and easy writing yet containing deep point. For some the book might be boring or just a love between husband and wife but I believe the core behind this story was something different. First: we should love, respect, care for each other and spread the positive spirit among others. Second: we should not be too and deeply attached to our loved ones because when they leave or disappear, the one who will suffer is us. Be thoughtful about your partner, your family, your colleague and others.
Narrator of our story is a widower who sadly recalls his wife and their happy life in the past. He loved his wife so deep that when reading his memories during his marriage years, you feel the “romance in the air” and his true feelings.
“Alas! Yun came to this work a woman, but she had the feelings and abilities of a man. After she entered my home in marriage, I had to rush about daily to earn our clothing and food, there was never enough, but she never once complained. When I was living at home, all we had for entertainment was talk about literature. What a pity that she should have died in poverty and after long illness. And whose fault was it that she did? It was my fault, what else can I say? I would advise all the husbands and wives in the world not to hate one another, certainly, but also not to love too deeply. As it is said “an affectionate couple cannot grow ld together”. My example should serve as a warning to others.”
Simple and easy writing yet containing deep point. For some the book might be boring or just a love between husband and wife but I believe the core behind this story was something different. First: we should love, respect, care for each other and spread the positive spirit among others. Second: we should not be too and deeply attached to our loved ones because when they leave or disappear, the one who will suffer is us. Be thoughtful about your partner, your family, your colleague and others.
June 4, 2020
It's fitting to note when this story was published - the dynasty in which it was published is the one I know the most about, so no wonder I liked it so much. (I had to study this time period for Chinese History in my undergraduate years of study - it spanned 1644 to 1912 - the book was written in the early 1800s) - the opera is loads of fun if you get into that! But please, let's stay focused on the book.
The author names quite a number of things that made me happy to read that I didn't remember from my original survey of Qing Dynasty China which I conducted 11 years ago.
It's easily forgotten and remembered how to pronounce the ü as in the character name Yün. This lady will tell you how to do it.
So I am glad that I received this book as a gift to practise my continuing problems with speech and diction. I've been told that these are due to my head injury but I am doubtful.
The author names quite a number of things that made me happy to read that I didn't remember from my original survey of Qing Dynasty China which I conducted 11 years ago.
It's easily forgotten and remembered how to pronounce the ü as in the character name Yün. This lady will tell you how to do it.
So I am glad that I received this book as a gift to practise my continuing problems with speech and diction. I've been told that these are due to my head injury but I am doubtful.
March 29, 2020
The short novel is all about the blossoming of the relationship and the endless love of a married couple. The story throws light on how vital and pure the bond of love and marriage is between two people. The message is clear that even in hard times, being together is what matters most. The author has also emphasized on importance of friendship between wife and husband.
"next life" Damn! This gave me goosebumps!!
This book is one of the all time Chinese literature classic. Quick to finish, yet it marks an impression on my heart forever as truly special.
"next life" Damn! This gave me goosebumps!!
This book is one of the all time Chinese literature classic. Quick to finish, yet it marks an impression on my heart forever as truly special.
November 26, 2018
really liked this story, it wasn't boring even one second. what i would've liked? to have a less tangled story. there are too many names, to many cities (all of them Chinese), and the events are not shown in their order. overall liked it:)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews