Capturing Chinese Short Stories from Lu Xun's Nahan: A guide to help students of Chinese read Chinese literature, learn Chinese history, and study Chinese characters [Paperback]

Lu Xun (Author), Kevin John Nadolny (Editor), Baidi & Gege (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Review

As reading material for the students who are learning Chinese and interested in Chinese literature and culture, your book [Capturing Chinese] is amazing and special! --Liu Liping, Chinese Professor at Columbia University and former professor at Beijing Language and Culture University

"The book [Capturing Chinese] is a great aid for readers who want to learn about the father of modern Chinese literature and his works." --Carolyn Lee, Director of the Chinese Language Program at Duke University

"Your book [Capturing Chinese Short Stories From Lu Xun's Nahan] will offer teachers of the Chinese language an effective tool of accessing Lu Xun's difficult texts." --Nanxiu Qian, associate professor of Chinese literature at Rice University

From the Author

The author has been studying Chinese for the past eight years. Starting with no background in the language he studied hard at Cornell, went to Beijing, met his beautiful wife, and now speaks Chinese every day. Disappointed with the quality of intermediate and advanced Chinese books, he wrote this book focused on easing the intermediate/advanced student into reading some of China's best literature. He currently lives in Japan where he continues his passion for learning languages. He continues to study Chinese and is in now learning Japanese as well.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: Capturing Chinese Publications (July 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0984276203
• ISBN-13: 978-0984276202
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #811,048 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The author has been studying Chinese for the past eight years. He currently lives with his wife in Tokyo Japan where he continues to write Chinese books and is now learning Japanese. Kevin can be reached at [e-mail].

Find more information at
www.CapturingChinese.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn Chinese/Mandarin While Reading Stories by a Master, October 18, 2009

By 

wpk - See all my reviews

This review is from: Capturing Chinese Short Stories from Lu Xun's Nahan: A guide to help students of Chinese read Chinese literature, learn Chinese history, and study Chinese characters (Paperback)

This book is very valuable for students (at intermediate/advanced level) learning the Chinese language. The book contains short stories from Lu Xun, one of the most influential writer in modern China, and considered by many as the father of modern Chinese literature. Lu Xun's stories are fascinating and poignant, many times reminiscent of Kafka. In this book, each story is printed in the original Chinese along with Mandarin pinyin (pronunciations) in separate paragraphs. The more difficult vocabulary is explained in footnotes. However, the footnotes provide more than just the meaning of the words - in many instances detailed and interesting historical and cultural explanations are given. Additionally, before each story, there is an enlightening introduction about the story, with discussions of the events of the time, which really put the stories in context. The illustrations throughout the book are really well-done - I think they very much capture the spirits of the stories.

I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn the Chinese language/culture, to learn to speak Mandarin, or even for someone who already knows Chinese and is looking to read or to revisit the fascinating stories by a great modern Chinese master.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally an interesting way to learn chinese, February 10, 2010

By 

Tiffany J. Yee (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Capturing Chinese Short Stories from Lu Xun's Nahan: A guide to help students of Chinese read Chinese literature, learn Chinese history, and study Chinese characters (Paperback)

Capturing Chinese is a book that has finally filled a void that has existed for so long. As a native English speaker who has studied Chinese for a few years, both in china and the states, I have always found Chinese textbooks to be boring and monotonous. However, since I am not quite at the advanced level to read Chinese literature, I have been unable to read interesting text without constantly flipping through a Chinese-English dictionary. Capturing Chinese does the work for you! The footnotes save you time while adding to your Chinese vocabulary. The reader is able to study Chinese while reading fantastic literature.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reading, December 6, 2009

By 

Kenneth Fung "Ken" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Capturing Chinese Short Stories from Lu Xun's Nahan: A guide to help students of Chinese read Chinese literature, learn Chinese history, and study Chinese characters (Paperback)

Instead of reading literature in translation, it is better to read it in its original language. "Capturing Chinese" is one of the best book for such for Chinese literature. The explanation of the vocab are very useful in helping me understand the story; while at the same time, reinforce my Chinese learning. I would recommend to anyone who is an immediate level Chinese learner and wants to have a deeper understanding of Chinese literature.