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Czytanki Orientalne
Diario de un demente y la auténtica historia de Ah Q
Dos obras maestras de Lu Xun, gran renovador de la literatura china, sobre la condición humana reunidas por primera vez en un mismo volumen.
"Diario de un demente" es uno de los relatos cumbre de la literatura del siglo XX. Escrito en forma de diario, refleja las impresiones de un loco que, curado en teoría de su paranoia, percibe la realidad con más claridad que los que le rodean.
"La auténtica historia de Ah Q" está considerada uno de los textos clave de la literatura china moderna. Narra las andanzas de un campesino que se burla de aquellos menos afortunados que él, pero que se empequeñece ante otros más poderosos.
"Diario de un demente" es uno de los relatos cumbre de la literatura del siglo XX. Escrito en forma de diario, refleja las impresiones de un loco que, curado en teoría de su paranoia, percibe la realidad con más claridad que los que le rodean.
"La auténtica historia de Ah Q" está considerada uno de los textos clave de la literatura china moderna. Narra las andanzas de un campesino que se burla de aquellos menos afortunados que él, pero que se empequeñece ante otros más poderosos.
144 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 1922
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2522 people want to read
About the author
Lu Xun
1,106 books393 followersLu Xun (鲁迅) or Lu Hsün (Wade-Giles), was the pen name of Zhou Shuren (September 25, 1881 – October 19, 1936), a leading figure of modern Chinese literature. Writing in Vernacular Chinese as well as Classical Chinese, Lu Xun was a novelist, editor, translator, literary critic, essayist, and poet. In the 1930s he became the titular head of the League of Left-Wing Writers in Shanghai.
For the Traditional Chinese profile: here.
For the Simplified Chinese profile: 鲁迅
For the Traditional Chinese profile: here.
For the Simplified Chinese profile: 鲁迅
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
July 26, 2025
Defeat is Victory.
'The True Story of Ah Q', a revolutionary work in the Chinese literature of the beginning of the 20th century, is a tragic and darkly comic story following a poor village hired hand Ah Q at the time of big political and social change.
Although it is claimed that Ah Q is the embodiment of the Chinese national character through which the author ctitisizes the complacency, self-deception, and moral decay of society during the final years of the Qing dynasty and the early Republic, I find the protagonist's life philosophy (not his behaiviour in some situations) appealing in a way. Ah Q's tendency to to rationalize his numerous misfortunes and defeats as 'spiritual' victories does not seem to be merely self-deception and a sign of decay. This is a strategy that helps to cope, and not fall into despair (and not become a victim in your own eyes) especially if you are the one who is a beggar, not a chooser.
'Ah Q never bore a grudge because he always managed to turn every loss into a victory.'
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'Being beaten is also a kind of glory.'
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'He was like a small insect pinned down by fate, but still wriggling proudly.'
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'To be executed is to be honored.'
'The True Story of Ah Q', a revolutionary work in the Chinese literature of the beginning of the 20th century, is a tragic and darkly comic story following a poor village hired hand Ah Q at the time of big political and social change.
Although it is claimed that Ah Q is the embodiment of the Chinese national character through which the author ctitisizes the complacency, self-deception, and moral decay of society during the final years of the Qing dynasty and the early Republic, I find the protagonist's life philosophy (not his behaiviour in some situations) appealing in a way. Ah Q's tendency to to rationalize his numerous misfortunes and defeats as 'spiritual' victories does not seem to be merely self-deception and a sign of decay. This is a strategy that helps to cope, and not fall into despair (and not become a victim in your own eyes) especially if you are the one who is a beggar, not a chooser.
'Ah Q never bore a grudge because he always managed to turn every loss into a victory.'
--------------------------------------------------------------------
'Being beaten is also a kind of glory.'
--------------------------------------------------------------------
'He was like a small insect pinned down by fate, but still wriggling proudly.'
--------------------------------------------------------------------
'To be executed is to be honored.'
December 8, 2016
This, Lu Xun's only novel is rather popular in China. There 'Ah-Q' is a mocking expression for someone who is finds meaningless spiritual victories in his defeats and loses. This is exactly what character of Ah-Q is constantly doing, finding spiritual victory whenever he is being beaten by people, which is a rather frequent occurance. The metaphor is rather strong - how many nations, cultures and individuals find something to be proud of in their most humiliating loses?
The writing seems to be strongly inspired by Gogol -the similar dark humour, similar display of humanity as something pathetic and similar use of deceptively simple looking story containing lots of allusions and metaphors, to understand which you need to have deep knowledge of Chinese culture.
The writing seems to be strongly inspired by Gogol -the similar dark humour, similar display of humanity as something pathetic and similar use of deceptively simple looking story containing lots of allusions and metaphors, to understand which you need to have deep knowledge of Chinese culture.
October 4, 2023
Si sa che l’ironia può essere un meccanismo di difesa ma può essere anche uno strumento utile allo scrittore per parlare di ciò che è scomodo o doloroso.
Siamo nel villaggio di Weichuang in una fase storica che segna il passaggio tra l’Impero e la Repubblica Popolare cinese.
La storia dell’immaginario personaggio chiamato Ah Q è quella vera.
Vera nei confronti delle mille voci infamanti che possono circolare in un qualsiasi villaggio perché in queste pagine Lu Xun racconta proprio della malvagità di un gruppo sociale quando si accanisce e si compatta verso chi è più debole relegandolo ai margini.
Ah Q, un nome che, alle orecchie del lettore italiano può avere il suono di un’esclamazione.
Solo al mondo, una vita trascinata tra lavori di fatica o furti e bastonate che prende da chiunque.
Un giorno, tuttavia, arriva voce che i rivoluzionari si stanno avvicinando e giustizia sarà fatta.
Ma sarà veramente così?
Breve romanzo di uno dei maggiori scrittori della letteratura cinese moderna.
Una satira pungente che giocando molto con la lingua perde molti dei suoi pregi nella traduzione ma sicuramente non il suo senso più intrinseco.
Consigliato.
”E gli sguardi della folla, ora, erano peggio di quelli del lupo:
ottusi e penetranti al contempo, avevano divorato le sue parole ma ancora non sembravano sazi: come se lo volessero spolpare fino in fondo, ben oltre la carne e il sangue. “
Siamo nel villaggio di Weichuang in una fase storica che segna il passaggio tra l’Impero e la Repubblica Popolare cinese.
La storia dell’immaginario personaggio chiamato Ah Q è quella vera.
Vera nei confronti delle mille voci infamanti che possono circolare in un qualsiasi villaggio perché in queste pagine Lu Xun racconta proprio della malvagità di un gruppo sociale quando si accanisce e si compatta verso chi è più debole relegandolo ai margini.
Ah Q, un nome che, alle orecchie del lettore italiano può avere il suono di un’esclamazione.
Solo al mondo, una vita trascinata tra lavori di fatica o furti e bastonate che prende da chiunque.
Un giorno, tuttavia, arriva voce che i rivoluzionari si stanno avvicinando e giustizia sarà fatta.
Ma sarà veramente così?
Breve romanzo di uno dei maggiori scrittori della letteratura cinese moderna.
Una satira pungente che giocando molto con la lingua perde molti dei suoi pregi nella traduzione ma sicuramente non il suo senso più intrinseco.
Consigliato.
”E gli sguardi della folla, ora, erano peggio di quelli del lupo:
ottusi e penetranti al contempo, avevano divorato le sue parole ma ancora non sembravano sazi: come se lo volessero spolpare fino in fondo, ben oltre la carne e il sangue. “
April 13, 2022
Trước khi đọc "AQ chính truyện", có người nói với tôi, AQ là một nhân vật có tính lạc quan tếu, dù gặp nghịch cảnh vẫn nhìn nhận tích cực (ù ôi).
Điển hình là y có một câu cửa miệng:
Sau khi đọc "AQ chính truyện", thì AQ là bao gồm rất nhiều tính xấu: "thượng đội hạ đạp", kiêu căng hợm hĩnh, hớn hở tự đắc, và hàng tá đặc tính "văn minh tinh thần của Trung Hoa nhà ta quả là bậc nhất trên hoàn cầu" =))))
Châm biếm thật hết sức sâu cay thâm thúy, cả con người và văn hóa Trung Hoa. AQ chính là hình ảnh đại biểu cho một "Trung Hoa xấu xí mà ảo tưởng". Chính cái sự phiếm danh của cái tên AQ càng khẳng định chắc chắn điều đó.
Văn chương cũng đỉnh.
Một quyển tuyệt hay!!!
Điển hình là y có một câu cửa miệng:
"Nó đánh mình thì khác gì nó đánh bố nó."
Sau khi đọc "AQ chính truyện", thì AQ là bao gồm rất nhiều tính xấu: "thượng đội hạ đạp", kiêu căng hợm hĩnh, hớn hở tự đắc, và hàng tá đặc tính "văn minh tinh thần của Trung Hoa nhà ta quả là bậc nhất trên hoàn cầu" =))))
Châm biếm thật hết sức sâu cay thâm thúy, cả con người và văn hóa Trung Hoa. AQ chính là hình ảnh đại biểu cho một "Trung Hoa xấu xí mà ảo tưởng". Chính cái sự phiếm danh của cái tên AQ càng khẳng định chắc chắn điều đó.
Văn chương cũng đỉnh.
Một quyển tuyệt hay!!!
April 23, 2020
Thật sự rate mấy tuyển tập truyện ngắn nó khó nghĩ vô cùng luôn vì thể nào cũng có vài truyện siêu hay còn những chuyện khác thì bình thường hoặc siêu chán -_-
Trong này thì 2 truyện hay nhất vốn đã được mang vào SGK Việt Nam luôn rồi (Thuốc, Cố Hương). AQ thì sách cũ có trích lấy một đoạn nên mình đọc cũng khá hứng thú, giờ đọc đầy đủ thì thấy là nó to lớn vềmặt tư tưởng thôi, còn văn phong trào phúng chỉ ở mức tạm.
Đọc cuốn này rất dễ liên tưởng tới Nam Cao, vì Lỗ Tấn cũng đi vào 2 đề tài chính là cuộc sống của người nông dân và cuộc sống của người tri thức nghèo trong xã hội chuyển đổi từ phong kiến lên thực dân. Bạn nào muốn làm văn hay thì mình thấy có thể tìm đọc vì rất dễ để mang ra so sánh bình luận (chẳng hạn AQ vs. Chí Phèo, Lỗ Tấn vs. Đời Thừa).
Cho 3 sao vì ngoài các điểm sáng trên ra, đa phần truyện đọc khá dài dòng, chủ yếu muốn dùng con chữ để phản ánh thực trạng xã hội nên hay kết thúc khá dở dở ương ương, dùng nghiên cứu thì ổn chứ dùng giải trí thì không.
Trong này thì 2 truyện hay nhất vốn đã được mang vào SGK Việt Nam luôn rồi (Thuốc, Cố Hương). AQ thì sách cũ có trích lấy một đoạn nên mình đọc cũng khá hứng thú, giờ đọc đầy đủ thì thấy là nó to lớn vềmặt tư tưởng thôi, còn văn phong trào phúng chỉ ở mức tạm.
Đọc cuốn này rất dễ liên tưởng tới Nam Cao, vì Lỗ Tấn cũng đi vào 2 đề tài chính là cuộc sống của người nông dân và cuộc sống của người tri thức nghèo trong xã hội chuyển đổi từ phong kiến lên thực dân. Bạn nào muốn làm văn hay thì mình thấy có thể tìm đọc vì rất dễ để mang ra so sánh bình luận (chẳng hạn AQ vs. Chí Phèo, Lỗ Tấn vs. Đời Thừa).
Cho 3 sao vì ngoài các điểm sáng trên ra, đa phần truyện đọc khá dài dòng, chủ yếu muốn dùng con chữ để phản ánh thực trạng xã hội nên hay kết thúc khá dở dở ương ương, dùng nghiên cứu thì ổn chứ dùng giải trí thì không.
July 24, 2021
A silly man doing silly things and being punished for all the wrong ones. Influenced by Hans Christian Andersen (his brother was the Chinese translator) and the main character being a bit of a Don Quixote-type, this is quite recognisable even if it is Chinese and from 1921.
April 15, 2011
This piece is an eye opener to the Chinese culture, although it comes in the form of a Fiction novel. The novel takes place in the country side of China, and follows the character named Ah Q from the time of his adulthood until death. Ah Q is considered as nobody amongst the town people and he is very much complacent with that, until he gets the opportunity to make a name for himself and reputation. The novel gives way to the struggle and standard that the Chinese are held up to, in order to be considered a success.
September 14, 2015
While I am fully aware that I need to be far more well-versed in Chinese history to fully understand Lu Xun’s critique and social commentary of Chinese society and culture, what satire I did recognize was sharply written. Ah Q is the embodiment of all of China’s faults and flaws prior to the Cultural Revolution, and Lu Xun writes it well. It’s kind of comical to read about Ah Q’s journey, and the end of the story makes it clear as to what Lu Xun’s feelings are about the state of Chinese national character at the time.
December 20, 2009
Ah Q is the best story I've ever read by a Chinese author.
April 1, 2025
“我想：希望是本無所謂有，無所謂無的。這正如地上的路；其實本地上沒有路，走的人多了，也便成了路。”
"Hope, I thought to myself, is an intangible presence that can neither be affirmed nor denied - a path that exists only where others have already passed."
Sometimes heartbreaking, at others infuriating, yet others full of melancholy, Lu Xun's writing is extremely impactful. I loved the simplicity and beauty of the language.
Anyone interested in Chinese history would benefit from reading his short stories and essays, as well as his merciless commentary on social practices and futile traditions. (“從來如此，便對麼”)
But his works also carry universal messages about the human condition, and are relevant today and around the world. Even if you do not like all the stories, you will surely find something to enjoy.
“然而我們的阿Q卻沒有這樣乏，他是永遠得意的：這或者也是中國精神文明冠于全球的一個證據了。”
"This was not a weakness to which our Ah-Q, in his inexhaustible delight with himself, was susceptible - living proof, perhaps, of the global superiority of Chinese civilization."
“我沒有負著虛偽的重擔的勇氣，卻將真實的重擔卸給她了。”
"Lacking the courage to bear the burden of falsity, I set upon her the heavier burden of the truth."
"Love is my attack, respect my defence. Without love and respect, there will never be peace - only treachery. Love begets love; respect, respect; while your grapnels and pikes beget only further aggression and mutual destruction."
"Hope, I thought to myself, is an intangible presence that can neither be affirmed nor denied - a path that exists only where others have already passed."
Sometimes heartbreaking, at others infuriating, yet others full of melancholy, Lu Xun's writing is extremely impactful. I loved the simplicity and beauty of the language.
Anyone interested in Chinese history would benefit from reading his short stories and essays, as well as his merciless commentary on social practices and futile traditions. (“從來如此，便對麼”)
But his works also carry universal messages about the human condition, and are relevant today and around the world. Even if you do not like all the stories, you will surely find something to enjoy.
“然而我們的阿Q卻沒有這樣乏，他是永遠得意的：這或者也是中國精神文明冠于全球的一個證據了。”
"This was not a weakness to which our Ah-Q, in his inexhaustible delight with himself, was susceptible - living proof, perhaps, of the global superiority of Chinese civilization."
“我沒有負著虛偽的重擔的勇氣，卻將真實的重擔卸給她了。”
"Lacking the courage to bear the burden of falsity, I set upon her the heavier burden of the truth."
"Love is my attack, respect my defence. Without love and respect, there will never be peace - only treachery. Love begets love; respect, respect; while your grapnels and pikes beget only further aggression and mutual destruction."
January 23, 2020
Dos de los cuentos más conocidos en occidente de Xun Lu.
El primero, tal como lo indica el título, nos habla un "demente", que tiene un tipo de psicosis bastante particular. No se si existirá algún significado alegórico, si supiera bien el contexto de producción, probablemente lo descubriría; sin embargo, por si mismo, el cuento resuelta interesante.
El segundo es el más largo, se centra en un personaje bastante ridículo y desgraciado, con el que cuesta bastante empatizar. Es un relato dominado por la ironía más que por la comedia, no resulta tan interesante la historia de Ah Q, como el contexto en el que se desenvuelve.
El primero, tal como lo indica el título, nos habla un "demente", que tiene un tipo de psicosis bastante particular. No se si existirá algún significado alegórico, si supiera bien el contexto de producción, probablemente lo descubriría; sin embargo, por si mismo, el cuento resuelta interesante.
El segundo es el más largo, se centra en un personaje bastante ridículo y desgraciado, con el que cuesta bastante empatizar. Es un relato dominado por la ironía más que por la comedia, no resulta tan interesante la historia de Ah Q, como el contexto en el que se desenvuelve.
April 27, 2023
"In that whole extended tour around the streets, he hadn’t managed to choke out a single line of opera; they had followed him for nothing."
September 26, 2022
El diario es y se lee en un suspiro. Agónico.
Le doy cuatro osos polares.
Ah Q es un hombre incapaz de juzgarse a sí mismo que abraza la ignorancia y corre a merced del viento. Una fábula simple y repetitiva que se sostiene con elegante sarcasmo.
Tres osos polares que desde acá parecen estrellas.
Le doy cuatro osos polares.
Ah Q es un hombre incapaz de juzgarse a sí mismo que abraza la ignorancia y corre a merced del viento. Una fábula simple y repetitiva que se sostiene con elegante sarcasmo.
Tres osos polares que desde acá parecen estrellas.
February 8, 2022
kiểu nhà quê chân đất mắt toét :)) ôi :))
January 16, 2023
3.5 not enjoyable
Read
January 15, 2023sospecho que la traducción podría ser mejor (que también puede ser que no estoy acostumbrado a literatura china pero algunas frases sonaban a fandub de algún anime 2006)
cuestiones aparte, diario de un demente es dulicioso
cuestiones aparte, diario de un demente es dulicioso
April 24, 2014
One of the greatest story of all time simply told.
I had come across this story way back in 1980s when I was privileged to see the Bengali theatre adaptation "Jagannath".
Almost immediately I borrowed a selection of his stories in Bengali "LU HSUNer nirvachit galpo" edited and translated by Sandip Sengupta (Katha o Kahini) and read all the stories. The very first story in the book was 'dairy of a madman' and the seventh story was 'the true storey of Ah Q'.
Thereafter I bought every LU XUN (or LU HSUN as he was known then) books I could lay my hands on. Of course courtesy Foreign Languages Press, Peking (Beijing), they were affordable (not as affordable as the Progress Publishers books, but still, affordable for students earning on the sly with one or two tutions).
His stories, prose poems, essays all are so simply written that even bad translators couldn't kill their flavour. In variably, the English translations were barely passable, but the Bengali translations used to be pretty good. I don't know Chinese and don't know if any of the Bengali translators knew Chinese.
Having a look at the LU Xun books on my self, I find: (FLP - Foreign Languages Press, E - English)
1. Call to Arms (FLP - E)
2. Old Tales Retold (FLP - E)
3. Wild Grass (FLP - E)
4. Wandering (FLP - E)
5. Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk (FLP - E)
6. Selected Stories of LU HSUN (FLP - E)
7. Selected Essays (Ed. Samar Ghosh, BENGALI)
8. Selected Stories (BENGALI)
I had read all his available books. All these books still remain with me - literally and figuratively!!!
I had come across this story way back in 1980s when I was privileged to see the Bengali theatre adaptation "Jagannath".
Almost immediately I borrowed a selection of his stories in Bengali "LU HSUNer nirvachit galpo" edited and translated by Sandip Sengupta (Katha o Kahini) and read all the stories. The very first story in the book was 'dairy of a madman' and the seventh story was 'the true storey of Ah Q'.
Thereafter I bought every LU XUN (or LU HSUN as he was known then) books I could lay my hands on. Of course courtesy Foreign Languages Press, Peking (Beijing), they were affordable (not as affordable as the Progress Publishers books, but still, affordable for students earning on the sly with one or two tutions).
His stories, prose poems, essays all are so simply written that even bad translators couldn't kill their flavour. In variably, the English translations were barely passable, but the Bengali translations used to be pretty good. I don't know Chinese and don't know if any of the Bengali translators knew Chinese.
Having a look at the LU Xun books on my self, I find: (FLP - Foreign Languages Press, E - English)
1. Call to Arms (FLP - E)
2. Old Tales Retold (FLP - E)
3. Wild Grass (FLP - E)
4. Wandering (FLP - E)
5. Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk (FLP - E)
6. Selected Stories of LU HSUN (FLP - E)
7. Selected Essays (Ed. Samar Ghosh, BENGALI)
8. Selected Stories (BENGALI)
I had read all his available books. All these books still remain with me - literally and figuratively!!!
May 2, 2023
Ini pertama kalinya saya baca buku author. Buku ini kumpulan novella dan yg terpanjang ceritanya ttg si Ah Q ini. Seorang pemalas dan oportunis yg terjebak dalam pusaran politik di kota kecil tempat dia tinggal. Novella yg lainnya jg kurang lebih intinya sama, dgn tokoh utamanya mjd "korban" dari gejolak sosial, politik, ekonomi di Cina pd awal abad 20.
Cara penulisan cerita author sangat modern dan realistis. Jadi mudah dibaca dan dipahami. Tapi utk Diary si Orang Gila, ini lebih ttg satire, sindiran ttg kondisi masyarakat pd masa tsb.
Tapi ada bbrp hal yg dari novella author ini yg saya tangkap adalah author tidak menyukai golongan mapan maupun kalangan old money. Beliau jg sptnya tidak tahan pd kaum konservatif. Jadinya saya merasa terbelah, satu sisi saya suka cara penulisan author, di sisi lainnya saya kurang suka krn hal² diatas, jd terkesan novella² yg ditulisnya terasa muram dan dark. Setidaknya kita belajar ttg sejarah carut marutnya Cina pd masa awal abad 20 ini.
Cara penulisan cerita author sangat modern dan realistis. Jadi mudah dibaca dan dipahami. Tapi utk Diary si Orang Gila, ini lebih ttg satire, sindiran ttg kondisi masyarakat pd masa tsb.
Tapi ada bbrp hal yg dari novella author ini yg saya tangkap adalah author tidak menyukai golongan mapan maupun kalangan old money. Beliau jg sptnya tidak tahan pd kaum konservatif. Jadinya saya merasa terbelah, satu sisi saya suka cara penulisan author, di sisi lainnya saya kurang suka krn hal² diatas, jd terkesan novella² yg ditulisnya terasa muram dan dark. Setidaknya kita belajar ttg sejarah carut marutnya Cina pd masa awal abad 20 ini.
October 4, 2021
This and all Lu Xun’s books are a must for sinologists. The words and expressions that the author used, especially in this volume, are accurately chosen. At the end of the book I felt a strange sense of disorientation: he definitely can investigate feelings unknown to most people.
June 11, 2024
Man is this guy had problems. Thankfully I think this book was written because the man was not ordinary, because of every man was like him the world would have ended. The way he viewed himself was very egotistical. The way he viewed women was very scary. You can really tell this book was written in the early 1900s. He was also a thieve. He earned fake respect based off others successes. He thought he was always right or always won even if he was completely wrong. He also pinched a bald nun’s cheeks. While the way he died was unfair, he was a bad person in a town with even worst people. Also I did not know ponytails were so important. Also he had zero rizz.
December 19, 2023
A classic Chinese story, tightly crafted, witty, a fantastic societal critique with humour and deep messages. Not so easy to grasp as a translation due to the references to Chinese characters and other aspects of the chinese language. Perhaps more
Modern translations would have explanatory footnotes…
Modern translations would have explanatory footnotes…
February 4, 2025
Novella satirica dalle note kafkiane con personaggi comuni e anti eroi. Nelle prime pagine si osserva il protagonista con gli occhi di chi ha conosciuto un personaggio del genere nella sua vita e lo ha sempre considerato qualcosa estraneo a se; ma poi pagina dopo pagina ci si rende conto che quel personaggio rappresenta quella parte di ognuno di noi che stentiamo ad ammettere di essere.
June 16, 2024
Un bel racconto che narra con un'allegoria la fine della dinastia Qing.
November 21, 2024
no ma gustao no tengo cita
January 28, 2025
Ah Q may get his ass beat, but he thinks he won, and that in itself is a huge win.
July 22, 2023
Not entertaining at all. Do not like Lu Xun’s writing style at all, but the message is thought provoking.
Just about how corrupted those Chinese ppl were in terms of their mental models. The problematic structure of the Chinese society exposed the evil of human beings to ultimately prevail for their own benefits.
Just about how corrupted those Chinese ppl were in terms of their mental models. The problematic structure of the Chinese society exposed the evil of human beings to ultimately prevail for their own benefits.
December 7, 2024
I really liked the fact that Ah Q is unlikable, yet the author still manages to make us feel pity for him at the end. It takes considerable talent to achieve something like that.
It’s a well-written story that conveys its theme quite well, which is a critique of the justice system and the population participating in it, losing their humanity in the process.
However, even though it’s short, it can be difficult to read in one sitting because the writing style feels a bit "dated."
I loved the foreshadowing and irony in these lines : "Have you seen an execution ?" asked Ah Q. "Ah, that's a fine sight. ... When they execute the revolutionaries.
Ah, that's a fine sight, a fine sight…"
"So no rebellion for me, only for you, eh ?" he exclaimed, nodding maliciously. "Curse you, you Imitation Foreign Devil all right, be a rebel ! A rebel is punished by having his head chopped off. I'll turn informer, and see you carried into town to have your head cut off you and all your family..
.. Kill, kill !"
I also really enjoyed the ending paragraph, which summarizes well the goal of this story and other works by Lu Xun : to make the individual reflect on their place in society and their perception of the system they live in rather than being forced to accept a single, imposed idea.
This is why Ah Q is so unlikable and unrelatable, like many of his other protagonists.
« Naturally all agreed that Ah Q had been a bad man, the proof being that he had been shot; for if he had not been bad, how could he have been shot ? But the consensus of opinion in town was unfavourable. Most people were dissatisfied, because a shooting was nor such a fine spectacle as a decapitation ; and what a ridiculous culprit he had been too, to pass through so many streets without singing a single line from an opera. They had followed him for nothing. »
Honestly, even though I really enjoyed the story and the themes, I would recommend reading « Diary of a Madman » instead of this short story. It’s more easily readable, shorter and the critique of society is more enjoyable because it is more subtle.
It’s a well-written story that conveys its theme quite well, which is a critique of the justice system and the population participating in it, losing their humanity in the process.
However, even though it’s short, it can be difficult to read in one sitting because the writing style feels a bit "dated."
I loved the foreshadowing and irony in these lines : "Have you seen an execution ?" asked Ah Q. "Ah, that's a fine sight. ... When they execute the revolutionaries.
Ah, that's a fine sight, a fine sight…"
"So no rebellion for me, only for you, eh ?" he exclaimed, nodding maliciously. "Curse you, you Imitation Foreign Devil all right, be a rebel ! A rebel is punished by having his head chopped off. I'll turn informer, and see you carried into town to have your head cut off you and all your family..
.. Kill, kill !"
I also really enjoyed the ending paragraph, which summarizes well the goal of this story and other works by Lu Xun : to make the individual reflect on their place in society and their perception of the system they live in rather than being forced to accept a single, imposed idea.
This is why Ah Q is so unlikable and unrelatable, like many of his other protagonists.
« Naturally all agreed that Ah Q had been a bad man, the proof being that he had been shot; for if he had not been bad, how could he have been shot ? But the consensus of opinion in town was unfavourable. Most people were dissatisfied, because a shooting was nor such a fine spectacle as a decapitation ; and what a ridiculous culprit he had been too, to pass through so many streets without singing a single line from an opera. They had followed him for nothing. »
Honestly, even though I really enjoyed the story and the themes, I would recommend reading « Diary of a Madman » instead of this short story. It’s more easily readable, shorter and the critique of society is more enjoyable because it is more subtle.
March 23, 2021
The True Story of Ah Q is said to be a great specimen of classical Chinese literature. However, it might be a contradictory translation or the fact that picking the story as the very first step to get acquainted with the entire cultural level is rather a bad choice, but I found this book rather tedious and barely cohesive.
To start with, the main hero seems to be the fusion of all bad human qualities and sins: a bad-tempered, short-sighted, unscrupulous, stubborn alcoholic and thief, etc. Sure, his image is supposed to be humorous though his weird behaviour causes only pity and irritation. On the other hand, since the narrative is placed in the context of China from the beginning of the past century, some anecdotes from his life certainly display cultural details and lifestyle of that period. However, the bulk of them don't usually add any sense to the main narrative throughout the book.
The only bright spot of the story for me is related to how the historical happenings are described. That's where the main bitter idea appears to be concealed under some irony: even seemingly enormous changes and hopes are sometimes bound to fall flat and alter almost nothing because of inevitable and deeply rooted inequality in society and injustice of the human nature on the whole. The rich will either keep their wealth maybe merely changing their titles, or there will be a new small group of people taking advantage of a newly established reality and becoming those against whom they used to fight.
To start with, the main hero seems to be the fusion of all bad human qualities and sins: a bad-tempered, short-sighted, unscrupulous, stubborn alcoholic and thief, etc. Sure, his image is supposed to be humorous though his weird behaviour causes only pity and irritation. On the other hand, since the narrative is placed in the context of China from the beginning of the past century, some anecdotes from his life certainly display cultural details and lifestyle of that period. However, the bulk of them don't usually add any sense to the main narrative throughout the book.
The only bright spot of the story for me is related to how the historical happenings are described. That's where the main bitter idea appears to be concealed under some irony: even seemingly enormous changes and hopes are sometimes bound to fall flat and alter almost nothing because of inevitable and deeply rooted inequality in society and injustice of the human nature on the whole. The rich will either keep their wealth maybe merely changing their titles, or there will be a new small group of people taking advantage of a newly established reality and becoming those against whom they used to fight.
January 21, 2021
รีวิว 20/2021
ประวัติจริงของอา Q
ผู้ประพันธ์/แปล: หลู่ซิ่น / เดชะ บัญชาชัย
จัดพิมพ์โดย: สำนักพิมพ์แม่คำผาง
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เขาว่าเป็นหนังสือคลาสสิกระดับเทพของจีน
เป็นวรรณกรรมที่ชื่นชอบของนักเคลื่อนไหวบ้านเราในยุค 2516
เคยเป็นหนึ่งในจำนวนหนังสือต้องห้ามด้วย
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เท่าที่ค้นข้อมูลมา หลู่ซิ่น น่าจะเป็นนักเขียนชื่อดังเข้าขั้น ปรมาจารย์ของจีนเลยแหละครับ แน่นอนเรื่องนี่ก็เก่ามากๆ เกือบ 100 ปีแล้วด้วย
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นี่คือหนังสือที่อ่านแล้วต้องตีความครับ
คืออ่านจบ ต้องไปหาอ่าน การตีความกันต่อโดยอัติโนมัติ
สำหรับผมซึ่งไม่รู้ประวัติศาสตร์การต่อสู้หรือการก้าวผ่านจากประเทศจีนยุคเก่า เล่มนี้ก็จุดประกายทำให้หันมาสนใจได้เหมือนกัน
แม้เนื้อเรื่องจะสั้น แต่ message ของหลู่ซิ่นนั้นชัดเจนแจ่มแจ้งมากๆ
คือ การเสียดสีนั่นเอง
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.
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จิกกัดความน่าสมเพชของชนชั้นล่างจีนสมัยนั้น ค่อนข้างตรงไปตรงมา
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นิยายเป็นเรื่องราวเกี่ยวกับชีวิตในชนบทของ อา Q โดย
อา Q สะท้อนภาพสังคมจีนในยุคก่อนปฏิวัติ
อา Q เป็นกรรมกรหาเช้ากินค่ำที่ถูกกดขี่จนไร้ค่าและน่าสมเพช
อา Q ช่างปลอบใจตัวเองเก่งเหลือเกิน
อา Q ไม่ว่าเขาจะโดนเหยียบย่ำ แต่จิตวิญญาณภายในเขายังหยิ่งทะนงตน
อา Q ยอมให้แก่คนสูงกว่า แต่กลับเหยียบย่ำคนอ่อนแอ
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ความเห็น
- วิธีการเอาชนะทางจิตใจ การปลอบใจตนเองของพวกทาส ด้วยการถือดี หยิ่งทะนงในศักดิ์ศรี คือตัวแทนความคิดของคนจีนในยุคนั้นครับ ซึ่งแน่นอน หลู่ซิ่น มองจุดนี้ว่าเป็นข้อเสีย ที่ร้ายแรงที่สุด ที่ทำให้คนไม่ยอมออกมาต่อสู้กับศักดินาจริงๆ เสียที
- คนชนชั้นแรงงานก็ยังคงทุกข์ระทมเช่นเดิม
8/10 ได้แง่คิดครับ
ประวัติจริงของอา Q
ผู้ประพันธ์/แปล: หลู่ซิ่น / เดชะ บัญชาชัย
จัดพิมพ์โดย: สำนักพิมพ์แม่คำผาง
.
.
เขาว่าเป็นหนังสือคลาสสิกระดับเทพของจีน
เป็นวรรณกรรมที่ชื่นชอบของนักเคลื่อนไหวบ้านเราในยุค 2516
เคยเป็นหนึ่งในจำนวนหนังสือต้องห้ามด้วย
.
เท่าที่ค้นข้อมูลมา หลู่ซิ่น น่าจะเป็นนักเขียนชื่อดังเข้าขั้น ปรมาจารย์ของจีนเลยแหละครับ แน่นอนเรื่องนี่ก็เก่ามากๆ เกือบ 100 ปีแล้วด้วย
.
นี่คือหนังสือที่อ่านแล้วต้องตีความครับ
คืออ่านจบ ต้องไปหาอ่าน การตีความกันต่อโดยอัติโนมัติ
สำหรับผมซึ่งไม่รู้ประวัติศาสตร์การต่อสู้หรือการก้าวผ่านจากประเทศจีนยุคเก่า เล่มนี้ก็จุดประกายทำให้หันมาสนใจได้เหมือนกัน
แม้เนื้อเรื่องจะสั้น แต่ message ของหลู่ซิ่นนั้นชัดเจนแจ่มแจ้งมากๆ
คือ การเสียดสีนั่นเอง
.
.
.
จิกกัดความน่าสมเพชของชนชั้นล่างจีนสมัยนั้น ค่อนข้างตรงไปตรงมา
.
.
นิยายเป็นเรื่องราวเกี่ยวกับชีวิตในชนบทของ อา Q โดย
อา Q สะท้อนภาพสังคมจีนในยุคก่อนปฏิวัติ
อา Q เป็นกรรมกรหาเช้ากินค่ำที่ถูกกดขี่จนไร้ค่าและน่าสมเพช
อา Q ช่างปลอบใจตัวเองเก่งเหลือเกิน
อา Q ไม่ว่าเขาจะโดนเหยียบย่ำ แต่จิตวิญญาณภายในเขายังหยิ่งทะนงตน
อา Q ยอมให้แก่คนสูงกว่า แต่กลับเหยียบย่ำคนอ่อนแอ
.
.
ความเห็น
- วิธีการเอาชนะทางจิตใจ การปลอบใจตนเองของพวกทาส ด้วยการถือดี หยิ่งทะนงในศักดิ์ศรี คือตัวแทนความคิดของคนจีนในยุคนั้นครับ ซึ่งแน่นอน หลู่ซิ่น มองจุดนี้ว่าเป็นข้อเสีย ที่ร้ายแรงที่สุด ที่ทำให้คนไม่ยอมออกมาต่อสู้กับศักดินาจริงๆ เสียที
- คนชนชั้นแรงงานก็ยังคงทุกข์ระทมเช่นเดิม
8/10 ได้แง่คิดครับ
June 16, 2023
Either terrible source material or terrible translation
I can't tell if this story was terribly written in Chinese or that the translation is just terrible. I assume the latter because there are somethings to like about this book like the distain for the nobles that are always keeping Ah Q down but Ah Q himself is also detestable so it's hard to tell what the message is. I found myself dozing off at times despite it being a fairly short read it was hard to keep my attention. I think this story, if it hasn't already, needs a re-translation badly. Not only is it filled with archaic language the language that is there is clunky at best and scrambled at the worst parts of the story.
I can't tell if this story was terribly written in Chinese or that the translation is just terrible. I assume the latter because there are somethings to like about this book like the distain for the nobles that are always keeping Ah Q down but Ah Q himself is also detestable so it's hard to tell what the message is. I found myself dozing off at times despite it being a fairly short read it was hard to keep my attention. I think this story, if it hasn't already, needs a re-translation badly. Not only is it filled with archaic language the language that is there is clunky at best and scrambled at the worst parts of the story.
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