Variations Without a Theme: And Other Stories (University of Sydney East Asian) [Paperback]

Xu Xing (Author), Lin Min (Translator), Maria Galikowski (Translator)

Product Details

• Paperback: 140 pages
• Publisher: Wild Peony (AU) (February 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0958652627
• ISBN-13: 978-0958652629
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,387,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nihilism with a sarcastic touch., February 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Variations Without a Theme: And Other Stories (University of Sydney East Asian) (Paperback)

To adalois, who wrote a review of these short stories, you are right : who still wants to change China? Or did the Author ever want to? Desillusioned for sure, as far as the narrator is concerned, or too realist, but not sad though, and very funny sometimes... Is it politics? Does not look like it, but can actually be controversial, as its only focus is the individual, and one who has no ideal, who does not take part in society, in a society which is supposed to be filled with ideals. I believe these short stories have less to do with politics than with the acknowledgment that life is purposeless. The narrators are lone dreamers who try hard to remain themselves and discover that it's impossible, that they cannot be the masters of their own lives, and worse, that it would be futile to try to. Nihilism and cynicism are the dark side of these stories (the purpose of life, if any, is just "being"), but with a bright appearance : fun, the sense of the absurd and cheerful sarcastic remarks. So, if you read them in a joyful mood, you will laugh, a lot. If not, you will feel desperate (for the moral of the story is : don't get involved with people, it's too painful and dangerous). Conclusion : be careful, this is dangerous stuff!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a true variation coming from China, December 16, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (China) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Variations Without a Theme: And Other Stories (University of Sydney East Asian) (Paperback)

Refreshing, sarcastic, humorous, existencialist. This are the four words i'd use to describe the work of Xuxing. He is a writer from the late 80's, early 90's, post 89 june 4th, desillusion and ecseptisism prevailing among young Chinese. Who is going to change China? or who still wants to change it? A must for anyone interested on contemporary China. Great translation, too.