Christ. It never occurred to me that you were making this shit up. I guess now I have to actually start reading this stuff, instead of blankly staring at the pages and then turning them, for an hour and a half, while my wife methodically flosses her teeth.
"Science Fiction in China" (which I will likely never read) did turn me on to a book I probably will read: "Classical Chinese Tales of the Supernatural and the Fantastic: Selections from the Third to the Tenth Century" (Indiana University Press, 1985).
But the intro is full of fun facts: "...the Chinese Youth Press systematically published selections of Verne's works throughout the 1950s and into the 1960s" in "meticulous translations." And Verne "remains the most familiar and popular science fiction writer to the Chinese reader."
I wasn't aware of any Ionesco lithographs - interesting.. And maybe an exchange might be in order one day, though of course I have no idea what you mean by 'invent'.
Do you mean you're not making it up? That's one illusion shattered. Next you'll be telling me the moon isn't made of cheese. Lincolnshire Poacher, I believe.
At first, I assumed this had to be a piece of clever fiction, because it reminded me immediately of a post on the group blog 'No Fear of the Future' about Chinese science fiction:
"I’m continually surprised at how many modern fans have never read A Princess of Mars. The plot, in brief: a Taiping veteran, Kong Jing Hao, is mining for gold in the Taklamakan Desert when he is attacked by Wéiwú'ěrs. Kong hides in a cave, and that night, when he sees Mars shining down on him, he stares at it rapturously, and is somehow transported to it. He discovers that Mars is not only inhabited, but ruled by an advanced civilization of brutal, four-armed green aliens, the "Tharks," who use a warped form of Confucianism to oppress the noble red aliens. Kong rebels against the oppression and the obscene gap between the dynastic Zodangans and the working class Heliums."
I wouldn't mind if you were making it up...
ReplyDeleteIs the image just a cover from Ionesco's book, or is it by Ionesco himself (or both?)
Ha!
ReplyDeleteIt's actually a lithograph by Ionesco. I'll see if I can track down the full info and add it to the post.
Maybe I could invent something for your site and you could post a non-invention here by a nevertheless un-google-able author.
Christ. It never occurred to me that you were making this shit up. I guess now I have to actually start reading this stuff, instead of blankly staring at the pages and then turning them, for an hour and a half, while my wife methodically flosses her teeth.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you do, don't actually read this blog.
ReplyDelete"Science Fiction in China" (which I will likely never read) did turn me on to a book I probably will read: "Classical Chinese Tales of the Supernatural and the Fantastic: Selections from the Third to the Tenth Century" (Indiana University Press, 1985).
But the intro is full of fun facts: "...the Chinese Youth Press systematically published selections of Verne's works throughout the 1950s and into the 1960s" in "meticulous translations." And Verne "remains the most familiar and popular science fiction writer to the Chinese reader."
Hope to make it on Friday!
I wasn't aware of any Ionesco lithographs - interesting..
ReplyDeleteAnd maybe an exchange might be in order one day, though of course I have no idea what you mean by 'invent'.
Well someone's making it up. may as well be you.
ReplyDeleteDo you mean you're not making it up? That's one illusion shattered. Next you'll be telling me the moon isn't made of cheese. Lincolnshire Poacher, I believe.
ReplyDeleteAt first, I assumed this had to be a piece of clever fiction, because it reminded me immediately of a post on the group blog 'No Fear of the Future' about Chinese science fiction:
ReplyDeletehttp://nofearofthefuture.blogspot.com/2007/05/alternate-history-of-chinese-science.html
And a quote:
"I’m continually surprised at how many modern fans have never read A Princess of Mars. The plot, in brief: a Taiping veteran, Kong Jing Hao, is mining for gold in the Taklamakan Desert when he is attacked by Wéiwú'ěrs. Kong hides in a cave, and that night, when he sees Mars shining down on him, he stares at it rapturously, and is somehow transported to it. He discovers that Mars is not only inhabited, but ruled by an advanced civilization of brutal, four-armed green aliens, the "Tharks," who use a warped form of Confucianism to oppress the noble red aliens. Kong rebels against the oppression and the obscene gap between the dynastic Zodangans and the working class Heliums."
Awesome, thank you!
ReplyDeleteConfused, freezing... maybe a perfect time to read some Chinese SF.
Will