The friends of Stephen Soong
Updated: 2015-05-20 08:23
By Liu Zhihua(China Daily)
|
||||||||
Roland Soong has coauthored The Soong's Living Room: FromQian Zhongshu to Eileen Chang, a biography of his father, Stephen Soong. |
In 1995, writer Eileen Chang (Zhang Ailing) was found dead in her apartment in the United States.
To many people's surprise, when Chang's will was read it was discovered that the author had left all her possessions to Hong Kong couple Stephen Soong (1919-96) and his wife, Mae Fong Soong (1919-2007).
The will made celebrities of the couple, but Stephen Soong was already well-known in literary circles by his various pen names, such as Lin Yiliang. He was an accomplished translator and literary critic, and had close relationships with several eminent writers and critics in modern Chinese literature, such as Qian Zhongshu (1910-98), Fu Lei (1908-66) and Wu Xinghua (1921-66).
Now the couple's son, Roland Soong, has coauthored a book, The Soong's Living Room: From Qian Zhongshu to Eileen Chang, a biography of Stephen Soong.
A series of serialized interviews and articles in the Guangzhou-based newspaper Nanfang Daily in 2012 inspired Roland to publish the book.
Roland is already well-known to fans of Chang because he became the executor of Chang's possessions after his parents died. He is also famous for his influential English-language China-focused blog EastSouthWestNorth.
The book focuses on Roland's family history, his parents' lives, and Stephen Soong's education and activities related to literature, film, and his friendship with Qian, Fu, Wu and Chang.
It is based on Roland's memory, public information and manuscripts and private correspondence between Stephen Soong and friends.
It reveals details of Stephen Soong's family background, education, personality, marriage and literary activities. It also carries a large quantity of photos, manuscripts and correspondence that have never before been seen in public.
- Premier Li Keqiang welcomed by Brazilian president
- Weirdest towns in the world
- Students from vocational schools also make big bucks
- Ten photos you don't wanna miss - May 19
- Royal family adds color to Chelsea Flower Show
- Premier takes in Irish countryside at old farm
- China, Ireland sign agricultural deals
- Premier Li arrives in Brazil to start official visit
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Premier Li embarks on Latin America visit |
What do we know about AIIB |
Full coverage of Boao Forum for Asia |
Annual legislative and political advisory sessions |
Spring Festival trends reflect a changing China |
Patent applications lead the world |
Today's Top News
Brazil embraces third wave of Chinese investment
Taoist teaches US official one or two things about feng shui
White House bans police from using certain military equipment
China eyes 'capacity exports' to sustain growth
Vietnam's objection to fishing ban in South China Sea dismissed
Li arrives in Brasilia to start LatAm tour
In Brazil's capital, young weigh what China offers
Li samples products of an Irish farm
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |