this week's reading
Bamboo and the Chinese Imagination - on the historical and cultural importance of bamboo
Broken porcelain to brick and tile - Yi Design turns broken ceramics into luxury tiles.
And I haven't seen a lot online this week to really grab my attention.
I have been reading a collection of stories by Lao She, 《老舍小说经典》, from the series 中国现代文学经典名著 (Chinese Modern Literature Classic Masterpieces), published by 二十一世纪出版社/21st Century Publishing House.
I read Rickshaw Boy/Camel Xiangzi years ago, first in English, which was good, then in Chinese, which was amazing. There's one scene in particular describing the buildup to an early summer storm in Beijing, and it really triggered something in me - I could smell the dust and heat and feel the restlessly menacing breeze. Not just because I've been caught out in many such a sudden early summer squall in Beijing, but because Lao She's writing is so vivid and evocative. Since that moment Lao She has been one of my favourite Chinese writers. Possibly favourite favourite.
There was one day in Qingdao I went looking for his old house. I'd somehow acquired a map that had the former residences of many a famous person on it. The map could have been clearer, but the main problem became obvious once I found his old house - it was a shell, little more than a ruin, apparently under renovation, though the site was quiet and the gate firmly locked.
Of course, having lived in Beijing so long, I could have and should have looked up his former residence there. Lao She is from Beijing, after all. But I am only human, not vulcan. One day when I'm back in Beijing I'll make that a priority.