With Love & Irony is a fascinating collection of writings from one of the finest China-born English writers, Lin Yutang. First published in 1934, the book features many columns that he wrote for "Little Critic", a magazine in Nanjing, China.
Lin's works offer incredible perspectives into the existence of an English-educated Chinese, living at a tumultous period of China's history, when the ancient giants was coming to grasp to accomodate Western and modern influences into its society. It was a serious struggle that culminated in civil wars, revolutions, literary explosion of ideas and thought. Yet Lin successful brings the reader into this era with delightful wit and range of topics, such as "Mickey Mouse", "On Being Naked", "Confucius Singing in the Rain" and "Should Women Rule the World?".
Many illustrations of the dilemma being an English-educated Chinese offered by Lin in With Love & Irony can be easily appreciated by people in Singapore. Lin does not take sides with neither Western modernity nor the traditions of China. He argues for the benefits and strengths of both, without outrightly condemning them for their shortfalls. The experience of reading this work is enhanced by his attention to finer details in life, which gives a rich insight into daily life in 1930's China. His handling of issues related to Japanese and Western imperialism of the era, charaterised his even-handed and mature sensibility to life without hatred.
Lin (1885-1976) was born in Fujian province to a Christian minister. He was later educated in Saint John's University (Shanghai), Harvard University (master's degree), and University of Leipzig (doctorate. The Nobel Prize for Lierature nominee also played an instrumental role in the romanicization of the Chinese language.
Rating: Four stars out of five ****
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