Wandering Mind and Metaphysical Thoughts

by Gao Xingjian, Gilbert C.F. Fong (Translator)

This English-Chinese bilingual edition is the complete first book of poems written by Nobel Prize winner Gao Xingjian. His poems offer an array of snapshots over various themes where politics, dreams, and metaphysical concerns are mixed. With original art works by Gao, this collection advances his innovative experiments in poetry across cultural boundaries.

Genres: Poetry

217 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Gao Xingjian is a Chinese-born novelist, playwright, critic, and painter. An émigré to France since 1987, Gao was granted French citizenship in 1997. The recipient of the 2000 Nobel Prize in Literature, he is also a noted translator (particularly of Samuel Beckett and Eugène Ionesco), screenwriter, stage director, and a celebrated painter.

Reviews

[Ken Paterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a beautifully produced book with some remarkable illustrations, but the real wonder is the poetry in translation. (Translation by Gilbert C.F. Fong). So many strange and arresting images, so many profound ideas, lightly expressed. My favourite piece is 'As Carefree as a Bird', the first part of which is probably as close as any of us will come to experiencing life as a bird. There are so many lines I can’t quite explain, but that stay in the mind, even after the first reading, such as: ‘The pendulum swings to its amplitude/It falls down by itself' … ‘An aeroplane/Crashes down/Onto a child’s dream’ … ‘It’s quiet in the snow-covered park/The snow has absorbed all meaning’.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heavy and light, sometimes simultaneously.
A good set of poems.