Chapter 5 Translation Preface - 5

Thoreau published only two books during his lifetime. In 1849, he published "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" at his own expense. This book was written in his log cabin by Walden Pond. There are large sections discussing essays, history, philosophy, religion, and so on.Although it is exquisitely carved, it is obscure and difficult to understand, and has not aroused any repercussions.A thousand volumes were printed, but only over a hundred were sold, and seventy-five volumes were given away, and over seven hundred volumes were saved. They were put in the warehouse of the bookstore in 1853, and all were returned to the author.Thoreau once jokingly said that there are about 900 books in my family, and more than 700 books I have written.

His second book, It Was, was published in 1854.Nor did it receive the attention it deserved, and was even ridiculed and criticized by James Lowell and Robert Louis Stevenson.But in January 1856, George Eliot praised him for his "deep and sensitive lyricism" and "supernaturalness" in the "Westminster Weekly".Those self-righteous people who only know to live well according to their norms often can't stand the value of things they don't understand, so they naturally regard Thoreau's historical behavior as unreasonable. The reality of the dream is false.

With the passage of time, the influence of this book is growing, and it has become a unique and outstanding masterpiece in American literature.The 39 volumes of manuscripts written by him throughout his life are his diaries or journals, which record his observations, thoughts, ideals and beliefs.The articles published in newspapers and magazines during his lifetime have been collected and sorted out after his death. The published works include "Travel Notes" (1863), "Maine Woods" (1864), "Cape Cod (1865) Three kinds.His complete works are published in "Thoreau Collected Works", there are two editions in 1906 and 1971.In addition, there are his diaries, including "Thoreau: A Writer's Diary", two volumes, and a selection of "The Heart of Thoreau's Diary", etc.The above is just a brief introduction of Thoreau's life.Let's talk a little bit more about his book.

For this, there is no need to say anything, but I have to repeat that this is a lonely, quiet, and wise book.It analyzes life and criticizes customs, which is unique.Naturally, there are some difficult places, and the author himself said, "Forgive me for my obscurity," such as the fable of the lost hound, the chestnut horse and the turtledove. Emerson's brother Edward asked him what he meant.He asked back: "Have you not lost it?" But he never answered.Some critics say that Thoreau lost an Ellen (the turtledove), a John (the hound), and possibly a Ralph (the sorrel horse).Who can not lose something?

There are also many pages in this book that describe images, which are beautiful and detailed, like the purity and transparency of lake water, and the lush greenness of mountains and forests;This is a book written more than a hundred years ago, and it has not lost its meaning to this day.In my busy life, sometimes I still can't read it. It seems that the book I like so much is not so cute and pleasant suddenly.But after dusk, the mood gradually becomes lonely and peaceful, and when I read this book again, it suddenly becomes more interesting, and what I read is the chapters that I can’t see the benefits and flavors during the day, the language is amazing, the words are shining, refreshing Heart and lungs move my heart.In the dead of night and when there is no sound, there is no obscurity in it, and it is clear to the bottom. After reciting it, I can't help but be fascinated by it.

It should be pointed out that this book is a healthy book, with extremely moving descriptions of spring and dawn.After reading it, you will naturally realize that an upward spirit constantly promotes and improves readers.The book is already in front of the readers, so I don’t need to say anything more, because no matter how well I say it, it’s not as good as the readers reading it directly. It is often said that a writer should find a secluded and elegant place to create: yes, but not always.On the contrary, I think that reading does require a quiet and good environment, especially reading a good book requires a high concentration of mental conditions.Readers most need to have a simple and indifferent heart.If reading it can arouse readers' interest in going to an unpolluted place with beautiful mountains and rivers, it is even more appropriate to read it in such a place.

Thoreau's book has gained more attention in the Western world in recent years.Serious pollution makes people yearn for the clear and fresh air of Walden Pond and forests.Thoreau can start from the necessities of life, such as food, housing, clothing and fuel, and starts the book with economy. He advocates practice and contains simple materialism. The translator was encouraged by the American Sinologist Mr. and Mrs. Fairbank; after the translation, it was compiled into the "American Literature Series", and the first edition was published in 1949. When it was republished in 1982, it referred to Hong Kong Wu Mingshi's version.During the editing and review process of the second edition, Translation Publishing House conducted a comprehensive revision of the translation.To all those who have helped me, right here, a big thank you.

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