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Pleasures of a Nonconformist
Written by Lin Yutang; 320 pages. Nonfiction. The Pleasures of a Nonconformist is one individualist's thoughs, his probings into the world of things and ideas which excite him, amuse him, amaze him, which concern him deeply, and which arouse his curiosity. From buying a toothbrush to intuitive thing, from Mao Tsetung's sparrows to the transformation of the Soviet Union into a capitalistic bourgeois state--this is the range of his musings.
- GenresChinaNonfiction
315 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1962
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110 people want to read
About the author
Lin Yutang
261 books343 followersProlific writer of a wide variety of works in Chinese 林语堂 and English; in the 1930s he founded several Chinese magazines specializing in social satire and Western-style journalism.
Lin, the son of a Chinese Presbyterian minister, was educated for the ministry but renounced Christianity in his early 20s and became a professor of English. He traveled to the United States and Europe for advanced study; on his return to China, he taught, edited several English-language journals, and contributed essays to Chinese literary magazines.
In 1932 Lin established the Lunyu banyuekan (“Analects Fortnightly”), a type of Western-style satirical magazine totally new to China at that time. It was highly successful, and he soon introduced two more publications. In 1935 Lin published the first of his many English-language books, My Country and My People. It was widely translated and for years was regarded as a standard text on China. The following year he moved to New York City to meet the popular demand for his historical accounts and novels. In 1939 he published his renowned English novel Moment in Peking. The Wisdom of China and India appeared in 1942.
Although he returned to China briefly in 1943 and again in 1954, Lin both times became involved in disputes stemming from his stand in favour of literature as self-expression rather than as propaganda and social education. In addition to writing books on Chinese history and philosophy, he made highly acclaimed English translations of Chinese literary masterpieces, such as Famous Chinese Short Stories Retold (1952).
Lin, the son of a Chinese Presbyterian minister, was educated for the ministry but renounced Christianity in his early 20s and became a professor of English. He traveled to the United States and Europe for advanced study; on his return to China, he taught, edited several English-language journals, and contributed essays to Chinese literary magazines.
In 1932 Lin established the Lunyu banyuekan (“Analects Fortnightly”), a type of Western-style satirical magazine totally new to China at that time. It was highly successful, and he soon introduced two more publications. In 1935 Lin published the first of his many English-language books, My Country and My People. It was widely translated and for years was regarded as a standard text on China. The following year he moved to New York City to meet the popular demand for his historical accounts and novels. In 1939 he published his renowned English novel Moment in Peking. The Wisdom of China and India appeared in 1942.
Although he returned to China briefly in 1943 and again in 1954, Lin both times became involved in disputes stemming from his stand in favour of literature as self-expression rather than as propaganda and social education. In addition to writing books on Chinese history and philosophy, he made highly acclaimed English translations of Chinese literary masterpieces, such as Famous Chinese Short Stories Retold (1952).
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 12, 2011
You can't help but enjoy Lin Yutang's zest for life and subtle sense of humor. This book isn't as wide ranging as "The Importance of Living" (a real favorite of mine), but it still offers the engaging conversational style and wisdom of the master. Don't miss his erudite and wonderful discussion of Chinese calligraphy. Overall, a celebration of the individual ...something rare in these homogenized times.
November 23, 2019
The Pleasures of a Non-Conformist is a collection of short essays by the Chinese thinker Lin Yutang.
I bought this book after reading and enjoying The Art of Living by Lin, and found it to be very much in the same style. Funny, interesting, extremely opinionated and candid.
Published in 1962, the book covers everything from the virtues of laziness, to women in hats; Chinese feminist satire, to buying a toothbrush.
Lin is the son of a Chinese christian minister, born in Victorian China, but educated in Europe and the USA. Thus, he offers insights into the differences and the virtues from both worlds. He’s half Taoist, half Confucianist; Half Christian, half Pagan; Half materialist, half humanist. A living contradiction.
His writing style is very plain and direct. Though clearly educated to the highest level, he doesn’t try to show this off with lofty language and long sentences.
In the book, Lin writes about the importance of writing solely as a means of expression, and it would seem this book was written merely for him to express his own thoughts and feelings.
Modern readers may find some elements of his writing unacceptable. In a few instances, he uses terms for other cultures that are inappropriate by modern standards. These are not used as slurs to cause insult, but merely as labels when differentiating one group from another.
Being born in the 1800s, Lin also expresses very dated opinions about women. I believe it would be unfair, though, to mistake this as bigotry. Lin dedicates a whole chapter to praise Chinese feminism, and another to condemn the practice of foot binding. He was clearly a champion for improving the rights and living conditions of women.
As someone who witnessed the soul of his home country be destroyed by communism, Lin is not short of things to say about it. And I was delighted to find several tangents and comments throughout this book criticising that bloody ideology.
To give a full critique of Lin, I would have to complain that he often makes sweeping generalisations about cultures and other groups, and he never provides any evidence of any claim he makes (other than common sense or day to day experience). But in his defence, he is not writing a scientific text. He freely admits these are his own opinions, and the reader is welcome to take them or leave them.
The Pleasures of a Non-Conformist is a fun and educational read for anyone looking for an insight into the mind of someone born in a different world and era.
I bought this book after reading and enjoying The Art of Living by Lin, and found it to be very much in the same style. Funny, interesting, extremely opinionated and candid.
Published in 1962, the book covers everything from the virtues of laziness, to women in hats; Chinese feminist satire, to buying a toothbrush.
Lin is the son of a Chinese christian minister, born in Victorian China, but educated in Europe and the USA. Thus, he offers insights into the differences and the virtues from both worlds. He’s half Taoist, half Confucianist; Half Christian, half Pagan; Half materialist, half humanist. A living contradiction.
His writing style is very plain and direct. Though clearly educated to the highest level, he doesn’t try to show this off with lofty language and long sentences.
In the book, Lin writes about the importance of writing solely as a means of expression, and it would seem this book was written merely for him to express his own thoughts and feelings.
Modern readers may find some elements of his writing unacceptable. In a few instances, he uses terms for other cultures that are inappropriate by modern standards. These are not used as slurs to cause insult, but merely as labels when differentiating one group from another.
Being born in the 1800s, Lin also expresses very dated opinions about women. I believe it would be unfair, though, to mistake this as bigotry. Lin dedicates a whole chapter to praise Chinese feminism, and another to condemn the practice of foot binding. He was clearly a champion for improving the rights and living conditions of women.
As someone who witnessed the soul of his home country be destroyed by communism, Lin is not short of things to say about it. And I was delighted to find several tangents and comments throughout this book criticising that bloody ideology.
To give a full critique of Lin, I would have to complain that he often makes sweeping generalisations about cultures and other groups, and he never provides any evidence of any claim he makes (other than common sense or day to day experience). But in his defence, he is not writing a scientific text. He freely admits these are his own opinions, and the reader is welcome to take them or leave them.
The Pleasures of a Non-Conformist is a fun and educational read for anyone looking for an insight into the mind of someone born in a different world and era.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews