A Scholar's Path: An Anthology of Classical Chinese Poems and Prose of Chen Qing ShanA Pioneer Writer of Malayan-Singapore Literature

English translation and appreciation by Peter Chen and Michael Tan
Reviewed by Chan Chiu Ming

An original English translation from the Chinese text:

• Comprises 60 poems (85 verses) and three prose compositions
• Opens a window to the heart and mind of a Chinese scholar who lived from the late Qing through the 1950s
• Reflects the life of a pioneer writer of Malayan-Singapore Chinese Literature: his personal tragedies, struggles, disappointments and the joy in his family, friends and his poetry
• English explanations for many interesting expressions and allusions used in Chinese classical poetry
• Enables an English language reader to enjoy the rich and colourful heritage of Chinese culture and language

A companion edition of the book in Chinese is available — the original classical text translated into modern Chinese and profusely annotated by Associate Professor Dr Chan Chiu Ming of National Institute of Education, Singapore.

Contents:

• Familial Love
• Care and Concern
• Friendship
• Reflections

Readership: General readers, students, and teachers, as well as those who are interested in Malayan-Singapore literature.
Keywords:Pioneer Writer;Malayan-Singapore Literature;Chinese Classical PoetryReview:

“With every word and phrase explained in both English and Chinese, these sentiments are made to reflect different aspects of the era's social adaptations, political mutations and cultural affirmations … The final work, both in Chinese and English translation, is so thorough that it can serve as a valuable teaching text.”

Professor Wang Gungwu
East Asian Institute
National University of Singapore
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