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苏东坡传（林语堂独家授权作品）（东方甄选董宇辉推荐！3天破10万！人生缘何不快乐，只因未读苏东坡，中国经典历史传记必读！） (博集文学典藏系列)
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1947
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About the author
Lin Yutang
260 books343 followersProlific writer of a wide variety of works in Chinese 林语堂 and English; in the 1930s he founded several Chinese magazines specializing in social satire and Western-style journalism.
Lin, the son of a Chinese Presbyterian minister, was educated for the ministry but renounced Christianity in his early 20s and became a professor of English. He traveled to the United States and Europe for advanced study; on his return to China, he taught, edited several English-language journals, and contributed essays to Chinese literary magazines.
In 1932 Lin established the Lunyu banyuekan (“Analects Fortnightly”), a type of Western-style satirical magazine totally new to China at that time. It was highly successful, and he soon introduced two more publications. In 1935 Lin published the first of his many English-language books, My Country and My People. It was widely translated and for years was regarded as a standard text on China. The following year he moved to New York City to meet the popular demand for his historical accounts and novels. In 1939 he published his renowned English novel Moment in Peking. The Wisdom of China and India appeared in 1942.
Although he returned to China briefly in 1943 and again in 1954, Lin both times became involved in disputes stemming from his stand in favour of literature as self-expression rather than as propaganda and social education. In addition to writing books on Chinese history and philosophy, he made highly acclaimed English translations of Chinese literary masterpieces, such as Famous Chinese Short Stories Retold (1952).
Lin, the son of a Chinese Presbyterian minister, was educated for the ministry but renounced Christianity in his early 20s and became a professor of English. He traveled to the United States and Europe for advanced study; on his return to China, he taught, edited several English-language journals, and contributed essays to Chinese literary magazines.
In 1932 Lin established the Lunyu banyuekan (“Analects Fortnightly”), a type of Western-style satirical magazine totally new to China at that time. It was highly successful, and he soon introduced two more publications. In 1935 Lin published the first of his many English-language books, My Country and My People. It was widely translated and for years was regarded as a standard text on China. The following year he moved to New York City to meet the popular demand for his historical accounts and novels. In 1939 he published his renowned English novel Moment in Peking. The Wisdom of China and India appeared in 1942.
Although he returned to China briefly in 1943 and again in 1954, Lin both times became involved in disputes stemming from his stand in favour of literature as self-expression rather than as propaganda and social education. In addition to writing books on Chinese history and philosophy, he made highly acclaimed English translations of Chinese literary masterpieces, such as Famous Chinese Short Stories Retold (1952).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 18, 2013
Su Dongpo's life is one of the most celebrated in thousands of years of Chinese history. This book, the work of a brilliant scholar of the early twentieth century, is both a fitting testimony and a gushing love letter to the lasting influence of the man who holds one of the most prominent places for Chinese intellectuals over the centuries, and to those worldwide who choose to admire the lives of the most prominent figures of the many dynasties.
Su was a product of a social system that survived, in varying forms, for many centuries: a literati. His place in that span was during the northern Song dynasty, the latter half of the eleventh century. Taught to absorb as much as possible of the classics of Chinese literature at a young age, he came to prominence by his remarkable performance at the national examinations, the entry point into a life of participation in the upper reaches of the Chinese government. An apparently ungifted politician, his mark came at first through remarkable poetry and outspoken criticism of corrupt practices of government officials. Under Wang Anshi, the government was attempting to institute a system of "state capitalism," generally forcing farmers to participate in taking loans from the government in ways that led first to corruption and then to destitution in the countryside.
Su the social critic and defender of the little guy is established early in Mr. Lin's narrative. As the biography goes on, Lin calls him "an incorrigible optimist, a great humanitarian, a friend of the people, a prose master, an original painter, a great calligraphist, an experimenter in wine making, an engineer, a hater of puritanism, a yogi, a Buddhist believer, a Confucian statesman, a secretary to the emperor, a confirmed winebibber, a humane judge, a dissenter in politics, a prowler in the moonlight, a poet, and a wag." (vii) Politically, he spent the majority of his career exiled to lesser posts or in exile. At the end of his life, he was brutally persecuted essentially died from the poor conditions he lived in.
Su moved around a lot. My recent trip back to Hangzhou was the occasion for me to revisit this biography, which I first picked up five years ago. He lived in Hangzhou twice, and his fame is such there that you can order Dongpo pork and Dongpo Shrimp at the restaurants there even today. I (re)read most of this book in and around Hangzhou, the city where I could walk upon the famous land bridge across the famous West Lake that Su built a thousand years ago, and still exists just the same.
The flaw in this book is also a strength. The author is clearly in love with his subject, and there are times when one has to wonder how many of the stories that accrue to Su are apocryphal and how many of the warts of Su are not represented in the work. At some point, I don't suppose I care. The story of a man so intellectually curious, so able across many arenas of human accomplishment, is aweworthy to begin with. The growth of the angry young social critic into a mature, kind, forgiving man clearly in touch with himself and his enlightenment is unforgettable. Despite persecutions, despite the way his critics treated him, the model presented by Lin of Su is inspiring. We should all aspire to as much.
Su was a product of a social system that survived, in varying forms, for many centuries: a literati. His place in that span was during the northern Song dynasty, the latter half of the eleventh century. Taught to absorb as much as possible of the classics of Chinese literature at a young age, he came to prominence by his remarkable performance at the national examinations, the entry point into a life of participation in the upper reaches of the Chinese government. An apparently ungifted politician, his mark came at first through remarkable poetry and outspoken criticism of corrupt practices of government officials. Under Wang Anshi, the government was attempting to institute a system of "state capitalism," generally forcing farmers to participate in taking loans from the government in ways that led first to corruption and then to destitution in the countryside.
Su the social critic and defender of the little guy is established early in Mr. Lin's narrative. As the biography goes on, Lin calls him "an incorrigible optimist, a great humanitarian, a friend of the people, a prose master, an original painter, a great calligraphist, an experimenter in wine making, an engineer, a hater of puritanism, a yogi, a Buddhist believer, a Confucian statesman, a secretary to the emperor, a confirmed winebibber, a humane judge, a dissenter in politics, a prowler in the moonlight, a poet, and a wag." (vii) Politically, he spent the majority of his career exiled to lesser posts or in exile. At the end of his life, he was brutally persecuted essentially died from the poor conditions he lived in.
Su moved around a lot. My recent trip back to Hangzhou was the occasion for me to revisit this biography, which I first picked up five years ago. He lived in Hangzhou twice, and his fame is such there that you can order Dongpo pork and Dongpo Shrimp at the restaurants there even today. I (re)read most of this book in and around Hangzhou, the city where I could walk upon the famous land bridge across the famous West Lake that Su built a thousand years ago, and still exists just the same.
The flaw in this book is also a strength. The author is clearly in love with his subject, and there are times when one has to wonder how many of the stories that accrue to Su are apocryphal and how many of the warts of Su are not represented in the work. At some point, I don't suppose I care. The story of a man so intellectually curious, so able across many arenas of human accomplishment, is aweworthy to begin with. The growth of the angry young social critic into a mature, kind, forgiving man clearly in touch with himself and his enlightenment is unforgettable. Despite persecutions, despite the way his critics treated him, the model presented by Lin of Su is inspiring. We should all aspire to as much.
October 9, 2023
百科写 《苏东坡传》是林语堂自己最喜欢的作品 可以从字里行间感受到对苏轼的爱。
唐宋八大家 苏家占了仨。从前对苏轼的记忆都是碎片的 凝固在全篇背诵的课文里。林语堂说李杜的诗最好 但苏轼的韵脚最最自然可爱。拜托 他可是一个四川人 骂人都是顺口溜诶 感觉那种文韵是刻在基因里的。读人物传记后对他的认识才完整有血肉。竹杖芒鞋轻胜马 一蓑烟雨任平生。他一生不作恶 一生乐观天真。我与他同志处恐怕也是爱吃爱喝能睡（？
说起天真 前一本奥本海默传 奥本海默也是天真的天才。或许比较不公允至极 但还是更爱苏东坡一些。至情至性之外 更少了些自命不凡 多了些主管能动。
大家总提及苏轼为老婆写的 十年生死两茫茫。他运气真好 原配稳重善于识人 继室贤良 小妾聪慧灵动 几个儿子也都是好的。又想起皇室从一代贤王到昏庸暴虐的子嗣 种的问题真的令人无语。党政古今中外都一样恶心 章惇追着他报复的样子真是应了一句爱比恨长久。但是奸人当道 本质错在皇权 屡屡被政治迫害的桥段气的我牙疼 王安石我白喜欢你的诗了王八羔子！他被几个太后庇护那里 我感慨还是女人好。
哎
唐宋八大家 苏家占了仨。从前对苏轼的记忆都是碎片的 凝固在全篇背诵的课文里。林语堂说李杜的诗最好 但苏轼的韵脚最最自然可爱。拜托 他可是一个四川人 骂人都是顺口溜诶 感觉那种文韵是刻在基因里的。读人物传记后对他的认识才完整有血肉。竹杖芒鞋轻胜马 一蓑烟雨任平生。他一生不作恶 一生乐观天真。我与他同志处恐怕也是爱吃爱喝能睡（？
说起天真 前一本奥本海默传 奥本海默也是天真的天才。或许比较不公允至极 但还是更爱苏东坡一些。至情至性之外 更少了些自命不凡 多了些主管能动。
大家总提及苏轼为老婆写的 十年生死两茫茫。他运气真好 原配稳重善于识人 继室贤良 小妾聪慧灵动 几个儿子也都是好的。又想起皇室从一代贤王到昏庸暴虐的子嗣 种的问题真的令人无语。党政古今中外都一样恶心 章惇追着他报复的样子真是应了一句爱比恨长久。但是奸人当道 本质错在皇权 屡屡被政治迫害的桥段气的我牙疼 王安石我白喜欢你的诗了王八羔子！他被几个太后庇护那里 我感慨还是女人好。
哎
February 16, 2018
Don't get excited. The word "gay" did not have its current connotations back in the 1940s. But a fascinating look at the life of a cultured bureaucrat in Sung-dynasty China who was repeatedly purged and exiled for being a political dissident—including against a program of what Lin Yutang calls (perhaps in an anachronism) "state capitalism" that was driving farmers into debt. Now I want to hit the history books to fill in the gaps in my understanding of this era.....
April 27, 2017
A good biographer should never belittle the people he/she doesn't like while glorifying the ones he admires. This is just what Lin Yutang did in this book, which I find very disappointing, as much as I admire Su Tungpo.
July 9, 2024
好友多年前推荐过的书，书除了写苏轼的生平，政治变迁，还根据历史背景适时引用了苏的作品，还写了王安石，高中学的王安石变法一下子就能代入了。
读完，合上书想：如果未来某天我也同样处于低谷，即使没有苏的高雅才情，也要争取有几分他达观乐天的心态吧。
读完，合上书想：如果未来某天我也同样处于低谷，即使没有苏的高雅才情，也要争取有几分他达观乐天的心态吧。
May 20, 2020
Finishing this book right after graduation during COVID-19 put me in an interesting position. I looked back at all the little problems and confusions that bothered me over the past 5 years and realized how trivial they are. Then I look forward to the big problems in society today and realize what a complicated world that I’m stepping into. Tungpo’s open-mindedness and his insistence on doing the right things and voicing his concerns enabled him to find pleasure wherever he was, either in exile or right at the top of the regime. I guess this peaceful mindset and genuineness are probably the best gifts that will keep inspiring me as I embark on my career.
October 14, 2020
我也许会把他评定为我2020年最喜欢的一本书——一方面时也许我读了太多英语书，但到头来骨子里还是更喜欢苏东坡特有的亚洲哲学根源，另一方面是我一向是林语堂的忠实读者，加上张振玉先生译的到位，读来痛快淋漓。苏东坡的一生从内从外看是截然不同的，世俗的眼光或许觉得惋惜，但唯有他自己能悟到“一蓑烟雨任平生”的快感。也许生在动荡之时，但他是幸运的，因为有是千里马者的庇护，也因为他自己超然脱俗的心境。此书也确实引起了我很多的反思，让我对未来豁然开朗，值得细读慢品！
March 12, 2022
When it comes to Ci (A style of poetry originating in the Tang Dynasty and prevailing in the Song Dynasty, written in musical notation and with sentences of varying length), Su Tungpo created bold poetic style; When it comes to poetry, he is one of the best in the northern Song Dynasty; Speaking of painting, he had achieved much; As for calligraphy, Tungpo is among one of the four greatest calligraphers.
On reading Lin Yutang's Gay Genius, tears and laugh struck me in turns, and I think this is also the Tungpo in Lin Yutang's eyes. More like a history book than a conventional autobiography, the book disintegrates the political struggles of the Song Dynasty. It also has a unique perspective, the story was told not in the "posterity" of biographies, but by a narrative of contemporaries.
Su Dongpo's intelligence and talent enabled him to never forget who he was and what he wanted in the ups and downs. No matter facing what kind of difficulties and frustrations, he always played a role as a true self. The great poet who expressed his feelings and spoke his mind directly, rather than playing the role of a complacent official or a self-pitying civilian. As an official, he was a minister who worked hard for the welfare of the people; For the people, he is a qualified citizen interested in public affairs. He had much talent, yet never cried for injustice--as been done by him all the time: do more, speak less. I like “古之成大事者，不惟有超世之才，亦必有坚忍不拔之志” (Since ancient times, great things have been achieved not only by extraordinary talents, but also by perseverance). All these made who he was--the greatest genius of all time in my eyes.
On reading Lin Yutang's Gay Genius, tears and laugh struck me in turns, and I think this is also the Tungpo in Lin Yutang's eyes. More like a history book than a conventional autobiography, the book disintegrates the political struggles of the Song Dynasty. It also has a unique perspective, the story was told not in the "posterity" of biographies, but by a narrative of contemporaries.
Su Dongpo's intelligence and talent enabled him to never forget who he was and what he wanted in the ups and downs. No matter facing what kind of difficulties and frustrations, he always played a role as a true self. The great poet who expressed his feelings and spoke his mind directly, rather than playing the role of a complacent official or a self-pitying civilian. As an official, he was a minister who worked hard for the welfare of the people; For the people, he is a qualified citizen interested in public affairs. He had much talent, yet never cried for injustice--as been done by him all the time: do more, speak less. I like “古之成大事者，不惟有超世之才，亦必有坚忍不拔之志” (Since ancient times, great things have been achieved not only by extraordinary talents, but also by perseverance). All these made who he was--the greatest genius of all time in my eyes.
August 31, 2023
苏东坡受敬仰近千年，如果不是好友推荐的书，我其实一直不知道为什么，因为我从来没去了解过他。不单因为我从小没有读诗词的耐心，我也极少看人物传记，总觉得别人的人生历程和我实在没有什么关系。但是非常感谢好友的推荐，让我感受到看似一面无趣的墙，被打破后展示出新世界时的冲击。
大家写大家。林语堂笔下的苏东坡，在娓娓铺陈的历史背景轴线上，没有矫饰地重活在了我们面前。前面大篇幅讲述王安石时期惊心动魄的政治斗争，佩服中国历史记录的精细，也拜林语堂的博学和深厚功力，宋庙堂国势被王安石一人颠覆，如过电影般历历在目的惨烈。苏东坡给神宗的万言书，终于让我触摸到他。政治上谋国之忠、至刚大勇，文学“真纯”，也很喜欢他和弟弟子由的兄弟情深。无怪乎，这样一个真性情有才华又正气刚勇的人物，如星宿下凡，怎叫人不喜欢。时运流转，苏东坡鼎盛时期，竭尽全力为民生奔波。我想再去看看“认识”了苏东坡之后的西湖、苏堤，尝下惠州的桂酒，我为他曾在我的家乡留下这么多足迹而欢喜。
于是，这么多年来第一次仔细读读苏东坡的诗文。和所有人一样爱其气魄和洒脱不羁。林语堂把他与孟子所言的“浩然之气”等同起来，我认为不以为过。与生俱来的生气蓬勃的贵气，来自一颗赤子之心。这种贯通天地的能量，世人无法因为偏好而去选择，而是会因为心底的共鸣而坦然去拥抱。
原著林语堂是用英文撰写的。现在读的版本是翻译过来的。林语堂翻译苏东坡诗词，想想都觉得非常好奇，他是否可以把这种力量用另一种文化传递出来。但毋庸置疑的，是林语堂为中国传统文化传播到西方发挥了奠基石的作用。他穿插写了很多他对中国艺术文化精髓的总结，极到位。
看到最后年谱，原来苏东坡诞于1023年，整整1000年前。他农历生日似乎就和我差了一天。“独行其事，一切付之悠悠” - 铭记。
大家写大家。林语堂笔下的苏东坡，在娓娓铺陈的历史背景轴线上，没有矫饰地重活在了我们面前。前面大篇幅讲述王安石时期惊心动魄的政治斗争，佩服中国历史记录的精细，也拜林语堂的博学和深厚功力，宋庙堂国势被王安石一人颠覆，如过电影般历历在目的惨烈。苏东坡给神宗的万言书，终于让我触摸到他。政治上谋国之忠、至刚大勇，文学“真纯”，也很喜欢他和弟弟子由的兄弟情深。无怪乎，这样一个真性情有才华又正气刚勇的人物，如星宿下凡，怎叫人不喜欢。时运流转，苏东坡鼎盛时期，竭尽全力为民生奔波。我想再去看看“认识”了苏东坡之后的西湖、苏堤，尝下惠州的桂酒，我为他曾在我的家乡留下这么多足迹而欢喜。
于是，这么多年来第一次仔细读读苏东坡的诗文。和所有人一样爱其气魄和洒脱不羁。林语堂把他与孟子所言的“浩然之气”等同起来，我认为不以为过。与生俱来的生气蓬勃的贵气，来自一颗赤子之心。这种贯通天地的能量，世人无法因为偏好而去选择，而是会因为心底的共鸣而坦然去拥抱。
原著林语堂是用英文撰写的。现在读的版本是翻译过来的。林语堂翻译苏东坡诗词，想想都觉得非常好奇，他是否可以把这种力量用另一种文化传递出来。但毋庸置疑的，是林语堂为中国传统文化传播到西方发挥了奠基石的作用。他穿插写了很多他对中国艺术文化精髓的总结，极到位。
看到最后年谱，原来苏东坡诞于1023年，整整1000年前。他农历生日似乎就和我差了一天。“独行其事，一切付之悠悠” - 铭记。
October 8, 2023
The author indeed added a lot of personal emotions. The enemies of Su all look cruel, immoral, and unreasonable according to his description. However, my reading experience is still pretty good. I don't really care how many percent of it is fiction and how many percent is reality. Just keep in mind that there may be something unreal and you will get a chance to meet one of the most excellent persons throughout Chinese history. The life attitude of Su can support and touch everyone around him. His experience can comfort and relieve those in their adversities. I really like him as well as Wu Fugu, a friend of Su who is really like a Chinese immortal.
April 1, 2024
想起很久以前曾经有一阵子喜欢苏东坡，如今才第一次读了他的传记，有一种何时忘却营营的惭愧。苏东坡出生在一千多年前，作者林语堂也过世半个世纪了，所以读这本书好像是目睹了穿越时间的闪耀，震撼又感动。在这来来去去无以计数的生命中，出现了这样一个即温柔又坚定的灵魂，还被认真的记录和书写，是多么不易。
几周前看了热辣滚烫，和闺蜜一起看到泪眼婆娑。贾玲扮演的女孩从开头就一次次被侮辱被伤害，她痛到麻木，只能蜷缩起来。活着本来就是很不公平的，每个人拿到的剧本不一样，可是怯懦卑微的她，没能尝到一点点甜。她在那个风雨大作的夜晚，从楼上跳了下去。后来的故事是一个破茧成蝶的故事，一次次挥汗如雨，一点点蜕变，就算在拳击场上被打的鼻青脸肿，她也没有丝毫退缩。当她说出那句“看心情”，她开始真正地为自己而活。
苏东坡也曾胸怀大志，可是在短暂的辉煌之后很快就开始了颠沛流离的生活，直到客死异乡。他很喜欢在月光下散步，不知道在那些独处的时刻，会不会在内心涌起汹涌的情绪。最后的他是释然的，他对弟弟说，“吾上可以陪玉皇大帝,下可以陪卑田院乞儿，眼见天下无一个不好人“ 在海南的时候他牵着一只黄狗找庄稼人聊天，庄稼人们面面相觑，不知道该对大诗人说什么，他说那就谈鬼啊，没关系，随便说你听到的就行。
闽南有句方言，人生海海，大概意思是人生就像大海一般起起伏伏，倘若不能逃过命运的安排，不如努力热爱生活。愿在悲欣交集的日子里，有趣的灵魂不寂寞。
几周前看了热辣滚烫，和闺蜜一起看到泪眼婆娑。贾玲扮演的女孩从开头就一次次被侮辱被伤害，她痛到麻木，只能蜷缩起来。活着本来就是很不公平的，每个人拿到的剧本不一样，可是怯懦卑微的她，没能尝到一点点甜。她在那个风雨大作的夜晚，从楼上跳了下去。后来的故事是一个破茧成蝶的故事，一次次挥汗如雨，一点点蜕变，就算在拳击场上被打的鼻青脸肿，她也没有丝毫退缩。当她说出那句“看心情”，她开始真正地为自己而活。
苏东坡也曾胸怀大志，可是在短暂的辉煌之后很快就开始了颠沛流离的生活，直到客死异乡。他很喜欢在月光下散步，不知道在那些独处的时刻，会不会在内心涌起汹涌的情绪。最后的他是释然的，他对弟弟说，“吾上可以陪玉皇大帝,下可以陪卑田院乞儿，眼见天下无一个不好人“ 在海南的时候他牵着一只黄狗找庄稼人聊天，庄稼人们面面相觑，不知道该对大诗人说什么，他说那就谈鬼啊，没关系，随便说你听到的就行。
闽南有句方言，人生海海，大概意思是人生就像大海一般起起伏伏，倘若不能逃过命运的安排，不如努力热爱生活。愿在悲欣交集的日子里，有趣的灵魂不寂寞。
October 13, 2021
What an incredible life and an incredible narrative by Yutang. A definite must-read for anyone interested in ancient China, specifically the Song dynasty and its upheavals. The only comment I can add is that, as always happens with the big heroes of ancient China, it sometimes feels a little subjective where Su Dongpo was always the hero. Taking that into context and trying to extrapolate, it makes an amazing reading into Song dynasty politics, the Wang Anshi feud, and the repercussions for the dynasty, some of which have reverberated all the way to the foundation of the Communist Party.
July 24, 2023
Many of Su's poems are lost in translation, but we shouldn't blame Lin; he did a great job in presenting us the genius. The language back then was just too different from modern English.
Most of Su's ideas about freedom of speech are still worth learning. Although over 9 centuries have passed, we haven't progressed much. Honest people, now as then, face great chances to be silenced. Who's to blame?
Most of Su's ideas about freedom of speech are still worth learning. Although over 9 centuries have passed, we haven't progressed much. Honest people, now as then, face great chances to be silenced. Who's to blame?
September 17, 2017
很好的书，用一些自己的人生体验来阅读会有更多的感触。林语堂对传统中国知识分子的人格需要把握的很到位，在他的笔下 苏东坡 无疑是个天才，但同时拥有中国传统知识分子的“理想人格” - 居庙堂之高则忧其民，处江湖之远则忧其君。作为天才 - 苏东坡始终对生活有无限的热爱，随遇而安 - 可以身居高位（礼部尚书，翰林学士）也可以流亡海外而一无所有。我个人感觉苏东坡也是幸运的 - 他所在的宋朝虽然是最后的排场但毕竟还没有太多的战乱 - 和杜甫相比，苏东坡经历的流离 - 个人的成分要多很多。
July 15, 2025
苏轼的一生还真是四海为家，但是不论升官还是被贬，苏东坡都能找到那个环境下心灵安适之所在。上可参与朝政，进尽忠言，与小人不予苟同；被贬时下可治理一方，研究美食，静心作诗作画，广交益友，好像即使被人刻意刁难，也不会自怨自艾。
另外也从书中学到了关于王安石变法的一些知识，了解了新政实行期间人民的生活是如何水深火热，以前只学习了他的诗词，不知晓政治影响。地方官吏上表朝廷诉说地方人民疾苦的文书甚至会收到当权阻拦，以至于上级不了解实际情况，听信周围小人言，继续推行新政。
另外也从书中学到了关于王安石变法的一些知识，了解了新政实行期间人民的生活是如何水深火热，以前只学习了他的诗词，不知晓政治影响。地方官吏上表朝廷诉说地方人民疾苦的文书甚至会收到当权阻拦，以至于上级不了解实际情况，听信周围小人言，继续推行新政。
June 16, 2017
best in recent years
May 22, 2018
一蓑烟雨任平生
September 26, 2018
Su Tungpo is my favorite poet.
Yutang's book is more than a bio.
worth reading
Yutang's book is more than a bio.
worth reading
September 11, 2020
可惜读得太早，忘得也早了。
September 27, 2021
Finally finished this book after on again and off again reading. Some super solid chapters and paragraphs, but as a whole somewhat grueling to finish
December 17, 2021
The intriguing life story of a great poet and patriot of a gone dynasty.
February 6, 2022
The best biography of Su Dong Po.
April 2, 2023
苏东坡，年轻时便得了进士，入朝为官。但一生被政令驱使，漂泊无定所。但所到之处，皆以达观的心态接纳，将生活中的趣味探索无极。佛学道教、诗词歌赋、美酒美食、建筑工程、为民请命……事事都做到了极致，真乃神人也。
June 11, 2024
B+。
大学文学课作业用书。。。
大学文学课作业用书。。。
September 27, 2024
花了大量篇幅批评王安石变法以及讲述后续的新旧党争，整本书主观性太强，纯为偶像立传
March 29, 2025
第三次閱讀，還是如同十多年前初次閱讀般享受，而且快樂，林語堂跟我一樣都是以極其粉絲的心情看蘇東坡，寫出來的子瞻自是可愛生動。
July 24, 2025
实在是坎坷的一生，但却有着一份豁达开朗的心境。看到无论环境多糟，他总能处之，很受鼓励。
当时被贬海南时，环境很糟糕。摘自书中：
他那不屈不饶的精神和达观的人生哲学，却不许他失去人生的快乐。
苏东坡也许是固执，也许真是克己自制，至少从也未失去那份诙谐轻松。
当时被贬海南时，环境很糟糕。摘自书中：
他那不屈不饶的精神和达观的人生哲学，却不许他失去人生的快乐。
苏东坡也许是固执，也许真是克己自制，至少从也未失去那份诙谐轻松。
August 5, 2025
Su Donglo is my favorite intellectual in ancient China, and this is a great biography about him
October 24, 2019
The author is one of the super fans to SuDongpo. As a result, this book is full of praise which may exaggerated the strengths of Su. However, this love also induced the author to search materials about Su as much as he can.
After reading this book, I’m impressed with the talent of Su. Moreover, Su also have some weaknesses in his personality such as irritable character which tells me that nobody is perfect. As a consequence, we shouldn’t be too strict with ourselves.
Compared with Su, I feel I’m so lucky and ordinary.
After reading this book, I’m impressed with the talent of Su. Moreover, Su also have some weaknesses in his personality such as irritable character which tells me that nobody is perfect. As a consequence, we shouldn’t be too strict with ourselves.
Compared with Su, I feel I’m so lucky and ordinary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2017
Probably the only time ever that I read a Chinese translation of a book written originally in English by a Chinese writer about a Chinese poet. I read the Chinese translation as I wanted read the original Su Dongpo verses and prose quoted in the book. I have not read the original English version, but I find this Chinese translation by Zhang Zhenyu beautifully written, and touching at times.
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