Modern Chinese Literature

June 8. Beijing. A pretty girl lies dead on the floor of her luxury home. A slip of paper found on her body reads, “I’m tired. Let me leave…...” At the bottom of the slip is a signature: Shuang-shuang. Shuang-shuang has a twin-sister called Dui-dui. The two girls look so similar that others can hardly tell who’s who. Is the one who died really Shuang-shuang? Then where is Dui-dui? If the one who died is Dui-dui as someone claimed, then why is the signature on the slip Shuang-shuang?

A smart young man suddenly gets into big trouble. He just fell in love with a pretty girl a few days ago, but now the police are at his home and want to arrest him. The bank he works for lost 10 million dollars, and the police list him as a suspect. Of course he is not the robber! He even knows who did it. But can he find evidence to prove it to the police? It’s all just too much. Also, will he be able to see his girlfriend again?

Left and Right are two brothers. Even their parents don’t know who is older and who is younger, as they are Siamese twins. They must do everything together. They play together, eat together, and sleep together. Most of the time they enjoy their lives and are very happy. When one was sick, the other helped his brother take his medicine and he got better. However, it’s no fun anymore when they sit in class together but one brother dislikes the other’s subjects…… 

Fang Xin was the developer of a popular software program. But he did not anticipate that the software was soon pirated for sale in large volumes. He had been searching for the pirates for a long time, but did not find them. One day, his wife Xiaoyue overheard a phone conversation in a store. She followed the caller and discovered the pirates. Nevertheless, Xiaoyue didn´t think that she was already on the brink of death…

Under the auspices of the Beike Corporation, Fang Xin’s software had met with great success in the Chinese market. It was at this time that his ex-wife Xie Hong returned from the U.S., with an investment and partnership offer from her company in tow. Despite knowing the fame and power of the company behind her, Fang Xin refused. Soon, piece by piece, his life fell apart. First a lawsuit from Xie Hong, then a growing mistrust from his wife Xiaoyue. Fang Xin had little choice but to claw his way out of the slow hell his life had become.

Abridged versions of short stories and novella written by contemporary Chinese writers reflecting everyday life of ordinary Chinese people. With original illustrations for each story and narration included with CD (mp3).

Chenyu came to Shanghai in pursuit of her dream. She bears the burden of single motherhood at such a young age, and yet her smile never falters. Chunyan came serching for her roots, after growing up in America with adopted parents. I wanted to help them both, so off we went; first in Shanghai, then later to Chenyu's home in the mountains.. It would all be much simpler if I hadn't fallen in love with them, and they with me. A bit convoluted, perhaps, but interesting stories and worthwhile relationships often are.

In just two months, five customers had large amounts of money stolen while in flight! Such cases became a headache for the cops. Harried and frustrated for a while, they found a clue while screening the names and ID numbers of all the customers. One day, when the thief showed up again on the airplane, a cop quietly followed. The cop sat there nonchalantly with his "third eye" watching and waiting for the fish to bite.

The old house of the Geng family has been uninhabited for years. But recently the doors of the house open and close without anyone going in or out. And at night one can hear people talking and singing inside. One dark evening, Geng Qubing sees light shining from the attic of the house. He slips into the house, and sees a pretty girl sitting with her family in the attic. Deeply attracted to the girl, Geng Qubing is determined to find out who she is, where her family is from, and why they live in his old house. But what eventually takes place is a shock for him!

Graded Chinese Reader 3000 words (with MP3-CD) contains selected, abridged Chinese contemporary short stories in Chinese characters and pinyin.

After the Accident, Chinese Breeze - Graded Reader Series Level 2 (500 Word Level). Including 1 MP3-CD.

One winter night, a teacher was on her way home. Suddendly she fell down from her bicycle in front of a car. The driver stopped his car right away and brought the teacher to a hospital nearby. “The patient’s name, please?” “What’s the problem?” “Are you her relative?” … The nurse asked quite a few questions. But the driver answered nothing. He then quickly disappeared. In the end, however, the teacher still saw the driver.

Xie Hong, Fang Xin´s true love, has gone abroad to fulfill her dream. But Fang Xin only wants to stay in Zhongguancun in Beijing doing work that he enjoys. Xiaoyue comes to visit Fang Xin every day. She is the one who really understands Fang Xin. She loves him and can offer him the help that he badly needs. But only Xie Hong is in Fang Xin´s mind. What should Fang Xin do? He seems to be losing his way in life…

Twenty-five years ago, people in my village did not know that wild geese should be under protection from hunting. Among the hunters, my grandpa was the best. He brought the geese he shot back to town and sold them to pay for my schooling. However, grandpa did not shoot one single goose on that day. It was all because of the vigilant lead goose in the flock. But at the moment when the flock was flying away, an eagle came. The eagle was hungry for young geese and pounced on one! The lead goose fought and fought with the eagle. But the eagle was too strong, and the lead goose was injured. Without hesitation, grandpa repelled the eagle away. He brought the wounded lead goose home and took good care of it. Before long, the lead goose´s mate flew over to join him in our home. Grandpa, the best hunter of wild geese, now had two goose friends…

An Old Painting (Chinese Title yi zhang jiu huar) from Chinese Breeze - Graded Reader Series Level 2 (500 Word Level).
 

This book contains 12 articles or short stories altogether, all of them are related to Chinese people’s characteristics and Chinese life. The articles are mostly written from the perspective of a foreigner and describe their experiences and feelings about China. Time limit and number of words for each story are given. The new words are completely annotated in Hanyu Pinyin and English. With corresponding pinyin.

Use Tomorrow's Money to Fulfil Today's Dream (用明天的钱实现今天的梦) is part of Practical Chinese Graded Reader Series (Level 3) and is suitable for learners who have learned 3,000 Chinese words or have studied for more than 1 year.

Friends, Chinese Breeze - Graded Reader Series Level 3 (750 Word Level). Including 1 MP3-CD.

I Married a Chinese Girl (Level 2 - 1000 Word Level) is part of Practical Chinese Graded Reader Series and is suitable for learners who have learned 1,000 Chinese words or have studied for more than 6 months.

This book contains 11 articles or short stories altogether, all of them are related to customs and traditions of daily Chinese life. The articles are mostly written from the perspective of a foreigner and describe their experiences and feelings about China. Time limit and number of words for each story are given. The new words are completely annotated in Hanyu Pinyin and English. With corresponding pinyin.

Jiuguo (酒国, The Republic of Wine), Chinese Language Edition in simplified Chinese characters.

Using the conflicts among three generations of the Gao family as the main threads, Family exposes the darkness and decadence of the feudal society. The author relentlessly castigates the hypocritical and malicious feudal apologists such as the Venerable Masters Gao and Feng, eulogizes Gao Juehui and others of the awakening young generation who rebel against feudalism, and expresses deep sympathy for those who became victims of feudal moral ethics.

This is the 1500 words edition of the Graded Chinese Reader series tailoring for foreigner Chinese language learners at new HSK Level 4. The book can both serve as a Chinese reading textbook and also an after-school extensive reading material. It includes 6 mini-stories from China.

This science fiction novel "The Three Body Problem" is the most famous work of Cixin Liu. Homoured with many awards. Simplified Chinese edition.

Ba Jin: Spring, Abridged Chinese Classic Series, with MP3-CD.

The Gao family, a stronghold of feudal ethics, is shaken by an awakening new generation. Shuying, once so weak has escaped from a doomed marriage; Juemin becomes a radical. These are signs of spring, a spring full of life, full of joy.

Mao Dun: Midnight (Ziye) - Chinese edition.

Ba Jin: Autumn, Abridged Chinese Classic Series, with MP3-CD.

In Autumn something is dying – the large feudal family has collapsed, taking with it young victims of feudal moral ethics. But something is also awakening – a new young generation, breaking with tradition, emerges from the feudal ruins.

This book contains 13 articles or short stories altogether, all of them are related to Chinese people’s characteristics and Chinese life. The articles are mostly written from the perspective of a foreigner and describe their experiences and feelings about China. Time limit and number of words for each story are given. The new words are completely annotated in Hanyu Pinyin and English. With corresponding pinyin.

This is the 500 words edition of the Graded Chinese Reader series tailoring for foreigner Chinese language learners at new HSK Level 2 & 3 or above. The book can both serve as a Chinese reading textbook and also an after-school extensive reading material. It includes 15 award-winning mini-stories from China.

The science fiction novel "The dark forest" is the second volume of the trisolaris trilogy by author Cixin Liu and has received numerous awards. simplified Chinese edition.

Mo Yan: Wa (Frog, 蛙) - Chinese Language Edition in simplified Chinese characters.

The White Snake is an intermediate-level (1200 words) Chinese reader which tells the love story of the white snake and Xu Xian using concise language and fantastic illustrations. A wordlist is provided for the story in the book, and small exercises and a passage for extended reading are provided after the story to help students to do self-evaluations and teachers to conduct classroom activities. A free CD-ROM included narrates the story, the passage for extended reading and the wordlist in the book.

The Herbivorous Family by Mo Yan. Mo Yan is China's first nobel literature price laureate. Simplified Chinese edition.

Red Woods by Mo Yan. Mo Yan ist China's first Nobel Prize in Literature winner. Chinese edition.

Tiantang suantai zhi ge (The Garlic Ballads) by Mo Yan. Mo Yan ist China's first Nobel Prize in Literature winner. Chinese edition.

This is the 2500 words edition of the Graded Chinese Reader series tailoring for foreigner Chinese language learners at new HSK Level 5. The book can both serve as a Chinese reading textbook and also an after-school extensive reading material. It includes 5 short stories from China.

My School: Chinese Lesson is a elementary (600 words) Chinese reader, telling the story of David and Ma Tian becoming friends at a Chinese class activity using concise language and fantastic illustrations. A wordlist is provided for the story in the book, and small exercises and a passage for extended reading are provided after the story to help students to do self-evaluations and teachers to conduct classroom activities. A free CD-ROM included narrates the story, the passage for extended reading and the wordlist in the book.

My School: Friends is a elementary (600 words) Chinese reader, using concise language and fantastic illustrations. A wordlist is provided for the story in the book, and small exercises and a passage for extended reading are provided after the story to help students to do self-evaluations and teachers to conduct classroom activities. A free CD-ROM included narrates the story, the passage for extended reading and the wordlist in the book.

My School: The Aliens Came is a elementary (600 words) Chinese reader, telling the story of the students guessing about the spaceship after a thick fog using concise language and fantastic illustrations. A wordlist is provided for the story in the book, and small exercises and a passage for extended reading are provided after the story to help students to do self-evaluations and teachers to conduct classroom activities. A free CD-ROM included narrates the story, the passage for extended reading and the wordlist in the book.

My School: Athletic Meeting is a elementary (600 words) Chinese reader, telling the story of David helping Mary finish a long-distance race in the athletic meeting using concise language and fantastic illustrations. A wordlist is provided for the story in the book, and small exercises and a passage for extended reading are provided after the story to help students to do self-evaluations and teachers to conduct classroom activities. A free CD-ROM included narrates the story, the passage for extended reading and the wordlist in the book.

My School: Talent Show is a elementary (600 words) Chinese reader using concise language and fantastic illustrations. A wordlist is provided for the story in the book, and small exercises and a passage for extended reading are provided after the story to help students to do self-evaluations and teachers to conduct classroom activities. A free CD-ROM included narrates the story, the passage for extended reading and the wordlist in the book.

My School: Exam is a elementary (600 words) Chinese reader using concise language and fantastic illustrations. A wordlist is provided for the story in the book, and small exercises and a passage for extended reading are provided after the story to help students to do self-evaluations and teachers to conduct classroom activities. A free CD-ROM included narrates the story, the passage for extended reading and the wordlist in the book.

Sandalwood Death by Mo Yan, edition in simplified Chinese. Mo Yan is China's first writer to become Nobel Prize laureate in literature.