自序｜E01 开篇：为什么我们要读苏东坡

自序｜E01 开篇：为什么我们要读苏东坡

课程导读

林语堂先生在自序中提到，自己想为苏东坡作传的念头“存于心中有年”。那么，苏大学士究竟有哪些魅力，让林语堂一直念念不忘？在去国怀乡之际，倾注心力写下一本传记，真的如他所说“不需任何理由”吗？

英文原文

THE GAY GENIUS
The Life and Times of Su Tungpo

PREFACE

There is really no reason for my writing the life of Su Tungpo except that I want to do it.

For years the writing of his biography has been at the back of my mind.

In 1936, when I came to the United States with my family, I brought with me, along with a carefully selected collection of basic Chinese reference books in compact editions, also a few very rare and ancient editions of works by and about this poet, for which all considerations of space were thrown overboard.

I had hoped then to be able to write a book about him, or translate some of his poems or prose, and even if I could not do so, I wanted him to be with me while I was living abroad.

It was a matter of sustenance of the spirit to have on one's shelves the works of a man with great charm, originality, and integrity of purpose, an enfant terrible, a great original mind that could not conform.

Now that I am able to apply myself to this task, I am happy, and this should be an all-sufficient reason.