Lao She 老舍 [Shu Qingchun 舒慶春] 1899-1966

Lao She was of Manchurian descent, and is one of the best loved modern Chinese authors. He graduated from Peking Normal University in 1917, and became a teacher. In 1924 he went to Britain and became a Chinese teacher in London University. The six years that he spent in Britain were very fruitful in terms of literary output, and he published his first three novels in the Chinese press whilst in London. After returning to China he continued to work as a teacher and a writer. In 1935 he published Luotuo Xiangzi 駱駝祥子 [Camel Xiangzi], probably his best-known novel. He visited America from 1944 to 1947 where he wrote Sishi tong tang 四世同堂 [Four generations under one roof]. After returning to China he was awarded the title of ‘People’s Artist’ by the Beijing city government. He was persecuted in the Cultural Revolution and committed suicide in 1966.

Works available in English:

  • Beneath the Red Banner (Don J. Cohn). Beijing: Chinese Literature, 1982.
  • Blades of Grass: The Stories of Lao She (William A. Lyell and Sarah Wei-ming
       Chen). Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1999.
  • Camel Xiangzi (Shi Xiaoqing). Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 1981;
       Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1981.
  • Cat Country: A Satirical Novel of China in the 1930's (William A. Lyell, Jr.).
       Columbus: Ohio State University Press, 1970.
  • Crescent Moon and Other Stories (W.J.F. Jenner). Beijing: Chinese Literature
       Press, 1985.
  • Dragon Beard Ditch: A Play in Three Acts (Liao Hung-ying). Beijing: Foreign
       Languages Press, 1956.
  • Heavensent (Xiong Deni). Hong Kong: Joint Publishing Co., 1986.
  • Ma and Son: A Novel (Jean M. James). San Francisco: Chinese Materials
       Center, 1980.
  • Mr. Ma & Son: A Sojourn in London (Julie Jimmerson). Beijing: Foreign
       Languages Press, 1991.
  • Rickshaw (Jean M. James). Honolulu: University Press of Hawaii, 1979.
  • Rickshaw Boy (Evan King). New York: Reynal & Hitchcock, 1945; New York:
       Sun Dial Press; London: Michael Joseph, 1946.
  • Teahouse: A Play in Three Acts (John Howard-Gibbon). Beijing: Foreign
       Languages Press, 1980.
  • The Drum Singers (Helena Kuo). Hong Kong: Joint Publishing Co., 1987.
  • The Quest for Love of Lao Lee (Helena Kuo). New York: Reynal & Hitchcock,
       1948.
  • The Rickshaw Boy (Richard F.S. Yang and Herbert M. Stahl). New York:
       Selected Academic Readings, 1964.
  • The Two Mas (Kenny K. Huang & David Finkelstein). Hong Kong: Joint
       Publishing Co., 1984.
  • The Yellow Storm (Ida Pruitt). New York: Harcourt, Brace & Co., 1951.

             close