Rickshaw = the novel Lo-tʻo Hsiang Tzu

by She Lao

Paper Book, 1979

Status

Available

Publication

Honolulu : University Press of Hawaii, c1979.

Description

"Lao She's great novel." --The New York Times   A beautiful new translation of the classic Chinese novel from Lao She, one of the most acclaimed and popular Chinese writers of the twentieth century,  Rickshaw Boy chronicles the trials and misadventures of a poor Beijing rickshaw driver. Originally published in 1937, Rickshaw Boy--and the power and artistry of Lao She--can now be appreciated by a contemporary American audience.

User reviews

LibraryThing member arubabookwoman
This classic of modern Chinese literature is the story of the life of Xiangzi, who comes to Beijing as a youth, hoping to make his fortune as a rickshaw boy. More universally, it is the story of a life of poverty and the difficulties of overcoming the hardships and inequities that afflict the poor
Show More
in most societies.

Xiangzi works hard and scrimps so that he can ultimately purchase his own rickshaw, rather than renting it. He is initially successful, but through a series of events loses that rickshaw. Over and over again, as Xiangzi appears about to better his life, circumstances intervene which push him to the bottom again. For the most part, he seems to accept these setbacks as his due, and he recognizes the futility of fighting back against the corruption of his society.

This was a touching book, as well as being informative and historically important. Although it involves a segment of the undersociety in 1930's China, it could just as well have been written by Zola or Dickens.

While Lao She was never a rickshaw puller, his parents were illiterate and worked menial jobs. He was well acquainted with poverty, and many of the characters and events in the book are based on people he knew in childhood. The book is written in simple prose, and ends thusly:

"Watching a skinny stray dog waiting by the sweet-potato vendor's carrying pole for some peel and rootlets, he knew that he was just like this dog, struggling for some scraps to eat. As long as he managed to keep alive, why think of anything else?"

Highly recommended.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Dreesie
Xiangzi is a country boy who moves to Beiping (Beijing). He works as a rickshaw puller, and through hard work, saving, clean living, and honesty, he plans to save until he can buy his own rickshaw and eventually own a rickshaw stand. Despite his best efforts, he is thwarted every time he starts to
Show More
get ahead, through no fault of his own, and eventually gives up his grand dreams, and then his basic dreams as well.

An easy read, but fairly repetitive and obvious once you catch on to the pattern. Also sad and predictable.
——————
This novel has been very popular in China, and is an indictment of the philosophy of individualism (per the back cover)--one man, working hard alone, is unlikely or unable to move ahead given a lack of safety net or family/friend network.
Show Less
LibraryThing member burritapal
Ever wonder what it's like to be a human pack animal? I think it's better for the humans than for animal slaves. Still, it's a hard life. A sad book but an uplifting ending.

Language

Page: 0.8867 seconds