Books by Shen Fu
Six Records of a Floating Life
by Shen Fu
This is a novel against the despotism of the family. It’s about two young people who get to know each other aged between eight and 12, and they’re in love, but then their families have to leave Peking at the time of the Boxer Rebellion, in 1898-1901. What is interesting in the novel, although it’s very sentimental, is the idea of individual freedom, and also the way the young people rebel against this domination of the family and the way they find other means to live.
Interviews where books by Shen Fu were recommended
The best books on Life in China, recommended by Marianne Bastid-Bruguière
The renowned sinologist and holder of the Legion D’Honneur reflects on Chinese attitudes towards life. Discusses the five books she feels gives the reader the best all-round appreciation of Chinese society
