Buying a Fishing Rod for My Grandfather : Stories

These six stories by Nobel Prize winner Gao Xingjian transport the reader to moments where the fragility of love and life, and the haunting power of memory, are beautifully unveiled. In "The Temple," the narrator's acute and mysterious anxiety overshadows the delirious happiness of an outing with his new wife on their honeymoon. In "The Cramp," a man narrowly escapes drowning in the sea, only to find that no one even noticed his absence. In the titlestory, the narrator attempts to relieve his homesickness only to find that he is lost in a labyrinth of childhood memories. Everywhere in this collection are powerful psychological portraits of characters whose unarticulated hopes and fears betray the never-ending presence of the past in their present lives. ϡ쯦랠 Novelist, playwright, essayist, and short-story writer Gao Xingjian is that rare breed of artist able to express himself with equal grace in almost any form of literature. In 2000 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in recognition of his astonishing talents. The collection Buying a Fishing Rod for My Grandfather offers this author's own selection and arrangement of his shorter fiction. Written between 1983 and 1990, these beautifully translated stories take as their themes the fragility of love and life, and the haunting power of memory. In "The Temple" the narrator's acute and mysterious anxiety overshadows the "delirious happiness" of an outing with his new wife on their honeymoon. In "The Cramp" a man narrowly escapes drowning in the sea, only to find that no one even noticed his absence. In "The Accident" a bus hits a cyclist and, as in stop-action film, the chaotic aftermath gives way to a calm, ordinary street corner with no trace of the previous drama. In the title story the narrator attempts to "unburden myself of homesickness" only to find himself lost in a labyrinth of childhood memories. Everywhere in this collection are powerful psychological portraits of characters whose unarticulated hopes and fears betray the never-ending presence of the past in their present lives. Gao Xingjian has shown a mastery of the epic form in his novels Soul Mountain and One Man's Bible. In Buying a Fishing Rod for My Grandfather, he brings the same passion and precision to the short story. Written Between 1983 And 1990, These Translated Stories Take As Their Themes The Fragility Of Love And Life, And The Haunting Power Of Memory. In The Temple The Narrator's Acute And Mysterious Anxiety Overshadows The Delirious Happiness Of An Outing With His New Wife On Their Honeymoon. In The Cramp A Man Narrowly Escapes Drowning In The Sea, Only To Find That No One Even Noticed His Absence. In The Accident A Bus Hits A Cyclist And, As In Stop-action Film, The Chaotic Aftermath Gives Way To A Calm, Ordinary Street Comer With No Trace Of The Previous Drama. In The Title Story The Narrator Attempts To Unburden Myself Of Homesickness Only To Find Himself Lost In A Labyrinth Of Childhood Memories. Everywhere In This Collection Are Powerful Psychological Portraits Of Characters Whose Unarticulated Hopes And Fears Betray The Never-ending Presence Of The Past In Their Present Lives.--jacket. The Temple -- In The Park -- Cramp -- The Accident -- Buying A Fishing Rod For My Grandfather -- In An Instant. Gao Xingjian ; Translated From The Chinese By Mabel Lee. Includes Bibliographical References. "Precisely detailed and delicately suggestive: the best work of Gao's yet to appear in English translation."—Kirkus Reviews A collection of six exquisite short stories from Gao Xingjian, the first Chinese writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. T hese beautifully translated stories take as their themes the fragility of love and life, and the haunting power of memory. In "The Temple," the narrator's acute and mysterious anxiety overshadows the delirious happiness of an outing with his new wife on their honeymoon. In "The Cramp" a man narrowly escapes drowning in the sea, only to find that no one even noticed his absence. In the title story the narrator attempts to relieve his homesickness only to find that he is lost in a labyrinth of childhood memories. Everywhere in this collection are powerful psychological portraits of characters whose unarticulated hopes and fears betray the never-ending presence of the past in their present lives. We were deliriously happy: delirious with the hope, infatuation, tenderness, and warmth that go with a honeymoon.