第九味

by 徐國能

打開記憶的寶匣，流光似潮汐輕瀉；在月落如金盆的夜晚，有一隻蒼老的耳朵準備傾聽。新生代作家徐國能文筆清麗，細緻敏銳的靈魂在繁華中汲飲寧靜，在至高美境中尋求「素樸的真髓」。
　　本書共分四輯，輯一昨日之歌是作者對過往光陰的巡禮，從童年住家的街道，吟詠到在東海就學時，常流連駐足的學校周邊商店，作者以感性細膩的筆調鋪陳懷舊歲月。輯二飲饌之間收錄作者得獎散文，嫻熟的文字、對烹飪與人生間的深刻體悟，賦予飲食文學新的意境，蘊無味於有味。第三輯雪地芭蕉描述作者觀畫寫詩讀詩讀史的心得，鞭闢入理的解析，對人生的獨到見解，談史論志時的開闔磅礡氣魄，呈現作者纖細之外的另一面貌。第四輯毒繼續論詩、論棋、論人生。清麗雅致的生活小品，如亭亭夏荷，淡淡吐露季節的芬芳。

　　「一生好景君須記，最是橙黃橘綠時。」對作者而言，人生起起伏伏，平淡或絢麗，一切都只是記憶而已！

212 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Ryler Chung · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about the past that reminds me of the present. The author shares memories from his life and provides provoking insight into life. All the good memories seem to be too sad to think about now. My friends may see me as optimistic, but really I feel pessimistic deep down. Considering how miserable my own life is in my mind, this book has helped me understand that I shall cherish the fact I am alive at this very moment. No matter how difficult it is right now, it is a blessing. As someone who is not familiar with Chinese literature, I found reading this book quite a bit challenging, which may be why I could not fully enjoy the book. The greatest takeaway from this book, after all, is that we shall all be grateful for the "ninth flavor," our presence now.

[Jacky Kwong · Rating 4 out of 5]

人生中總會經歷各種酸甜苦辣；有開心的，也有傷感的，令人遺憾的往事。第九味是什麼？它不可名的，但可品嚐出來的，各種五味雜陳混合而成一種複雜的味道。有些事情在發生當下難以言喻，再過後回憶卻彷彿洞識了一切。我覺得閱讀文學作品就是在痛苦的生活中的一種解脫，徐國能老師這本書引起了我強烈的共鳴，或許她不曾出現，也不留下任何痕跡，濃霧之中消失的無影無蹤。

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

也許考文憑試的（或是知道我讀英語文學的）都不解為何我會讀徐國能，但他寫人和寫食物都很細膩，我最深刻的是〈媽媽的竹葉舟〉。書中不少意象都令人眼前一亮，加上作為一個書蟲，讀到愛書人寫關於文學的散文更是自我陶醉，好不滿足。惟書中第四輯「毒」的內容略嫌說教，失去了前三輯那派浪漫詩人的氣息。值得一看。3.5/5