1 . Like reading? Interested in Chinese classical novels? Have a look at the following four books which are we known to most Chinese as Four Masterpieces.
The Water Margin
The Water Margin, also known as All Men Are Brothers in Pearl Buck’s translation, Shui Hu Zhuan in Chinese, is along chapter novel with the Song Jiang Uprising in the late Northern Song Dynasty as the main background and type of heroic legend. It is an immortal (不朽的) novel and has inspired many storytellers. The author of the novel is generally regarded as Shi Nai’an (1296~1371).
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms is the first full-length historical romance novel in China. Its author is Luo Guan zhong (about 1330~1400), a famous novelist in the late Yuan Dynasty and the early Ming Dynasty. Characters such as Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Zhuge Liang have become household names among the Chinese.
Journey to the West
Journey to the West is the first romantic chapter novel about gods and devils in ancient China. There are 100 copies of Journey to the Westin the existing Ming Publications without the author’s signature. Wu Yuxuan, a scholar of the Qing Dynasty, first proposed that the author of Journey to the West was Wu Cheng’en (1500~1582) of the Ming Dynasty.
The Dream of the Red Chamber
The Dream of the Red Chamber, also called The Story of the Stone, is said to be the greatest masterpiece of Chinese fiction. It is generally believed to be written by Cao Xueqin (about 1715~1763), a writer of the Qing Dynasty. With hundreds of persons and their stories, the story is very complex but also very interesting for its encyclopedic character(百科全书式的人物).
1. Which book should people read if they want to know something about the character Song Jiang?| A．The Water Margin. | B．Romance of the Three Kingdoms. |
| C．Journey to the West. | D．The Dream of the Red Chamber. |
| A．Shi Nai’an. | B．Luo Guanzhong. | C．Wu Cheng’en. | D．Cao Xueqin. |
| A．Health. | B．Literature. | C．Sports. | D．Science. |
2 . Best Books of All Time
If you want to fill your shelves with the best books of all time, you’re in the right place.
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein(1974)
The imagination of Shel Silverstein is on fall display in this classic collection of short stories and poems. Where the Sidevalk Ends is truly one of the best poetry books of all time because of is staying power for children. The stories of this American poet, author, singer, and folk artist have something for everyone.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy(1878)
Most critics regard it as one of the most iconic literary love stories. Leo Tolstoy’s Russian tale of unfortunate lovers is filed with fascinating quotes like,“He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking.” Described by Fyodor Dostoevsky as “flawless”, this one belongs on any book collector’s shelf.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery(1943)
The Little Prince is a timeless tale of a prince’s journey from planet to planet in search of adventure. What he finds,however, are interactions with adults who leave him frustrated. In the Saharn Desert, he runs into the book’s narrator,and the two start an eight-day journey filled with lessons. It’s one of the most compelling short books we’ve ever read. It’s also one of the most widely read children’s classics all over the world. Whether you prefer reading in English,French, or another language, you’re bound to find a copy.
The Shining by Stephen King(1977)
The master of suspense must be included in any list of books you should read in a lifetime. That’s why you’ll find Stephen King’s The Shining here. Jack Torrance is a middle-aged man looking for a fresh start. He thinks he’s found it when he lands a job as the caretaker at an old hotel, the Overlook. But as snow piles higher outside, the hotel begins to feel more evil and dangerous, less freeing and more annoying. Horror fans, take note; This is one of the scariest and best Stephen King books of all time.
1. In which book can we read about lovers?| A．Where the Sidewalk End. | B．Anna Karenina. |
| C．The Little Prince. | D．The Shining. |
| A．They are both talking about adults. |
| B．They were both written in the 19408. |
| C．They are both love stories. |
| D．They are both for children. |
| A．Entertainment. | B．Sports. | C．Culture. | D．History. |
| A．Buy the book from him. |
| B．Finish the story in a day. |
| C．Read the book this weekend. |
4 . Four New Nature Travel Books
British Woodland
Ebury Publishing,￡22
Discover the secret world of our trees with this book by bushcraft and survival expert Ray Mears, who takes us on a journey from the planting of the very first seedling in Britain a thousand years ago to the present day. The book looks to our ancestors to show how man’s hand is critical in shaping woodland. It’s structured around how we can “use” our woods, providing a root to explore some of Britain’s most remarkable trees.
North York Moors & Yorkshire Wolds
Bradt Guides,￡l5.99
A “slow travel” guide to one of Britain’s most beloved landscapes, this newly updated book remains the only stand-alone guide to the region. Written by Yorkshire resident, outdoors enthusiast and travel writer Mike Bagshaw, it takes in sandy beaches, woodlands and chalk grasslands. It has information on walking and cycle paths, as well as wildlife-watching areas. Whale-and dolphin-watching tours are also covered.
Wild Isles
Harper Collins,￡25.
This rich photographic guide accompanies the new BBC documentary series of the same name, which sees Sir David Attenborough celebrate the wonders of British wildlife across a range of habitats. Written by natural history journalist Patrick Barkham and producer Alastair Fothergill, each chapter of the book focuses on a particular kind of wild space, from our wide variety of grasslands to our ocean shores, woodlands and remaining forests.
Springwatch
BBC Books,￡18.99.
Explore the UK’s richest regions for wildlife with 100 walks chosen for their unique plants and animals. Written by Wales-based travel journalist Luke Waterson, with a foreword(前言)by Chris Packham, this new guide is published together with the current Springwatch BBC TV series and features walks that best reveal the diversity of British nature.
1. What is British Woodland about?| A．Survival skills. | B．The journey to Britain. |
| C．Ancestors’ hardships | D．The exploration of woodland. |
| A．Ray Mears. | B．Mike Bagshaw. |
| C．Patrick Barkham. | D．Luke Waterson. |
| A．Both are adapted for TV series. |
| B．Both are written by co-authors. |
| C．Both focus on photography techniques. |
| D．Both reveal the diversity of British culture. |
