Blast from the past
Updated: 2015-02-04 07:29
By Xing Yi(China Daily)
|
||||||||
A artwork from the lianhuanhua edition of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Photo provided to China Daily |
For many Chinese born before the 1980s, traditional picture books, or lianhuanhua, are part of childhood memories.
In an attempt to revive public interest in the lost format, the first edition of Romance of the Three Kingdoms in the lianhuanhua style was recently reprinted.
Written by 15th-century author Luo Guanzhong, the novel is considered among China's greatest classics. Its lianhuanhua version has sold tens of millions copies since first being published in 1957.
Lianhuanhua, which literally means "linked pictures", originated in 1920s Shanghai. The palm-size book has a painting on each page, with a few lines of text below telling stories that range from the country's traditional fables to modern literature. Each lianhuanhua book is usually less than 100 pages.
"Back then, there were lianhuanhua rent stalls in every corner of Beijing," says Wang Jialong, the 74-year-old collector of such books, of his childhood in 1950s.
"After school, we all went to the stalls to read them."
- Hey, baby, you are my superhero
- Massive porcelain finds on Nanhai One
- Little 'migrant birds' back home for Spring Festival
- Drill in snowfield tests the combat level of PLA
- Katy Perry's halftime show wows Super Bowl viewers
- New England Patriots win 49th NFL Super Bowl
- China weekly photos
- Venice welcomes carnival season
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
China, US vow to deepen military relations |
Premier Li attends Davos Forum |
Li Na expecting first baby |
Star's marriage is 'bittersweet' news for fans |
Chinese IPOs in the US in 2014 |
Tale of two cities |
Today's Top News
China: UN presidency will be 'fair, open, transparent'
US taking 'fresh look' at weapons for Ukraine
Chinese insurer gets Waldorf OK
Farm goals may boost exports from US: experts
Dalai Lama meeting bad 'in any form'
Chinese make record number of NYC trips
GDP: How far can it fall?
Indian PM expected to visit President Xi's hometown
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |