Title
The Old Capital: A Novel of Taipei (Modern Chinese Literature from Taiwan),Used
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Chu T'ienhsin's The Old Capital is a brilliant evocation of Taiwan's literature of nostalgia and remembrance. The novel is centered on the question, 'Is it possible that none of your memories count?' and explores the reliability of remembrances and the thin line that separates fact from fantasy.Comprised of four thematically linked stories and a novella, The Old Capital focuses on the cultural and psychological realities of contemporary Taiwan. The stories are narrated by individuals who share an aching nostalgia for a time long past. Strolling through modern Taipei, they return to the lost, imperfect memories called forth by the smells and sensations of their city, and try to reconcile themselves to their rapidly changing world.The novella is built on the memories and recollections of a woman trying to make sense of herself and her homeland. After a trip to Kyoto to meet with a friend, she returns to Taipei, where, having been mistaken for a Japanese tourist, she revisits the sites of her youth using a Japanese colonial map of the city. Seeing Taipei anew, the narrator confronts the complex nature of her identity, embodied in the contrast between a serene and preserved Kyoto and a thoroughly modernized and chaotic Taipei.The growing angst of these narrators reflects a deeper anxiety over the legacy of Japan and America in Taiwan. The titles of the stories themselves'Death in Venice,' 'Man of La Mancha,' 'Breakfast at Tiffany's,' 'Hungarian Water'reveal the strong currents of influence that run throughout the collection and shape the content and texture of the writing. In his meticulous translation, Howard Goldblatt captures the casual, intimate feel of Chu T'ienhsin's writing while also maintaining its multiple layers of meaning. An intertextual masterpiece, The Old Capital is a moving and highly sensual meditation on the elasticity of memory and its power to shape personal identity.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'The Old Capital'? A: The main theme of 'The Old Capital' is the exploration of nostalgia and the reliability of memories, questioning whether any of our memories truly count.
- Q: Who is the author of 'The Old Capital'? A: 'The Old Capital' is authored by Chu T'ien-hsin, a prominent figure in Taiwanese literature.
- Q: How many pages does 'The Old Capital' have? A: 'The Old Capital' has a total of 236 pages.
- Q: What is the binding type of 'The Old Capital'? A: 'The Old Capital' is available in hardcover binding.
- Q: When was 'The Old Capital' published? A: 'The Old Capital' was published on April 10, 2007.
- Q: What type of narratives are included in 'The Old Capital'? A: 'The Old Capital' comprises four thematically linked stories and a novella that delve into the cultural and psychological experiences of contemporary Taiwan.
- Q: Is 'The Old Capital' available in multiple languages? A: The original text is in Chinese, but it has been translated into English by Howard Goldblatt, capturing the nuances of the original writing.
- Q: What influences are reflected in the stories of 'The Old Capital'? A: The stories reflect strong cultural influences from Japan and America, as indicated by their titles, which reference well-known works.
- Q: What is the significance of the novella in 'The Old Capital'? A: The novella provides a personal account of a woman's journey to rediscover her identity and her homeland, highlighting the contrast between modern Taipei and historical memories.
- Q: Can 'The Old Capital' be categorized under any specific literary genre? A: 'The Old Capital' can be categorized as contemporary literature with elements of nostalgia and intertextuality.