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A Feast of Endless Fun (Ernest Hemingway)
Paris was once the most beautiful dream of a young artist's life in the 1920s – a glamorous dream of impoverished writers struggling to compose romantic verses, painters trading their paintings for bread, and musicians chasing the alluring spotlight of the stage. Woody Allen made the film.Midnight in ParisTo recreate those crazy and passionate years, Charles Aznavour sangLa Bohèmeas a farewell to a romantic Parisian era. And withinEndless festivitiesErnest Hemingway recalled his youthful, passionate years in Paris, "in the beginning, when we were very poor and happy."
Paris inEndless festivitiesThis is a vivid and beautiful glimpse into Hemingway's youth, when his literary career began to flourish. Paris was where Hemingway would discuss art with friends on the street, or quietly enjoy a café au lait while concentrating on his writing; it was where he would stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens or visit art museums on an empty stomach, drinking cheap wines with his wife in their rented house above the sawmill. Paris was also where the greatest artists of the "Lost Generation," such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, T.S. Eliot, and James Joyce, gathered, holding endless parties, indulging in strong liquor and smoke, discussing life, literature, and music, creating a glorious chapter in the history of 20th-century art.
With his concise, unpretentious writing style, Hemingway's pages transport the reader through time and space, leading them to stroll through the tranquil corners of Paris, where milkmen knock on doors every morning, fishermen fish along the Seine, fragrant loaves of bread fill the air, art galleries and small bookstores line the streets… This romantic and gentle city nurtured the souls of artists fortunate enough to live there in their youth; and it is this bustling and vibrant city that captivates the wanderer, ensuring that memories of their Parisian years remain with them throughout their lives.
“There’s never an end to Paris, and everyone’s memories of living in this city are unique. We always return, no matter who we are or how much the city changes. Paris always deserves that, and we receive fully for what we give it. But this Paris is of the beginning, when we were poor and happy.”
Records of the Western Regions of the Great Tang Dynasty (by Xuanzang)
If we had to name one work of classical Chinese literature that has had the greatest influence, it would probably be...Journey to the WestIt will top the list. The image of Sun Wukong, amplified by the success of the television series of the same name, has largely overshadowed the greatness of Xuanzang - the prototype of Tang Sanzang - and his extremely important travelogue:Records of the Western Regions of the Great Tang Dynasty.
Under the rule of the Tang Dynasty, China reached the pinnacle of civilization with tremendous development in military, economic, cultural, and religious spheres. It was also the period when Buddhism began to gain a significant foothold, with thousands of followers in the capital, Chang'an, dedicated to the study of Buddhist teachings.
Xuanzang absorbed Buddhist teachings from a young age, yet he always felt that the scriptures disseminated in China at that time contained inexplicable contradictions. After years of contemplation, he believed that only by seeking the true source of Buddhism could he fully comprehend the truth. Alone and with an unwavering resolve, Xuanzang spent many years traversing treacherous mountain passes, venturing into the most remote and untouched regions of the west to reach India – the birthplace of Buddhism.
Records of the Western Regions of the Great Tang DynastyThis book is a compilation of Xuanzang's detailed notes on the landscapes, natural conditions, customs, people, culture, politics, and products of over 100 countries, large and small, that he traveled through over 19 years, on thousands of miles towards the land of Buddha. He traveled along the Silk Road of present-day Xinjiang in northwestern China, as well as neighboring areas in Central Asia such as present-day Persia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The book is a particularly useful reference document on the geography and history of the period that marked the beginning of cultural and economic exchange in ancient Asia.
Moreover, Xuanzang's writings vividly recreate a period of development and spread of Buddhism from India to neighboring countries, adding a significant source of historical information on early Buddhism. The Buddhist societies of ancient countries are described relatively fully in terms of rituals, architecture, and the scale of Buddhist influence in each region. These documents are particularly useful for historians and archaeologists in searching for and identifying the ruins of these countries.
I, Charley, and the American Journey (John Steinbeck)
A road trip in a self-driving car isn't a new travel trend. Sixty years ago, the famous writer John Steinbeck drove a pickup truck on a cross-country road trip across America, which he humorously described as "a normal turtle carrying its whole house on its back."
His companions were his old but very dashing dog, Charley, and his well-equipped car, with a camping cabin attached to the top, which he affectionately called Rocinante—after Don Quixote's horse. This journey marked the beginning of an era when the country's internal cultural, ethnic, and ideological conflicts reached their peak, from the fear of the Cold War to the covert and overt violence against people of color and immigrants, foreshadowing the explosive youth protest movement of the 1960s.
Me, Charley, and our journey through America.It is also a meticulous account of the geography, food, language, and local customs of many regions of America, with each state resembling a separate kingdom. America is depicted with the magnificent autumn in New England, mobile homes, the freezing snow-covered North Dakota, the grumpy bears in Yellowstone National Park, shrinking villages and booming cities with gray skyscrapers, the scorching Mojave Desert, rest stops selling bland food wrapped in plastic, Texas with its cowboy legends from the founding of the nation…
John Steinbeck's refined writing style and keen observation create a vivid documentary about America, a bustling yet profound and poetic place. At the same time, Steinbeck meticulously records even seemingly "trivial" matters often overlooked, such as bathing and laundry during dusty journeys, unexpected difficulties like a flat tire in remote areas, or when his dog Charley falls ill, and even homesickness—all offering valuable advice for travelers before setting off. The book has a slow, gentle pace that easily draws the reader into the adventure; its subtle, witty humor is as charming as a touch of brandy added to a hot cup of coffee on a chilly winter afternoon.
“I saw in their eyes what I’ve seen again and again everywhere in this country: a burning desire to leave, to move, to set out, to go anywhere, as long as it was far from this place of theirs. They whispered to each other that they wished they would leave someday. Freely, without anything holding them back, not towards any particular place but away from any place. I saw those eyes and heard those longings in every state I’ve traveled through.”
The Sea (Alex Garland)
The BeachThis is a work by British author Alex Garland, published in 1996. The main character of the story, Richard, a young tourist, arrives in Thailand hoping for "special" experiences. His wish comes true when Richard stumbles upon a hand-drawn map leading to a secret beach – described as a real paradise on earth. After sharing the story of the map with a French tourist couple, Richard gains two more friends to join his journey.
A scene from The Beach - the film adapted from the short story of the same name.
After a long journey through mountains and streams, Richard and his two friends truly found "paradise": a secret island with pristine, breathtaking scenery, untouched by tourists or modern conveniences; a small community of "free" people who gathered daily to sing and enjoy the precious gifts of nature. Worries about money, material possessions, and fame simply didn't exist there. The three friends quickly decided to stay on the island, becoming new members of this strange community and forgetting about their future.
In a very natural and convincing way, paradise seems to exist inThe BeachBut could that paradise last forever? Could people live carefree, without worries, immersed in the beauty for their entire lives? The revelry continued day after day on the island until one member of the group was bitten by a shark, sustaining serious injuries and needing to return to the mainland for hospitalization. However, the people there left him to die instead of seeking treatment, simply because going to the mainland could endanger their secret community. From this point, Richard realized that no matter where you are, human selfishness and wickedness always exist. Richard's "paradise" had now become hell.
StoryThe BeachIt's like a life philosophy book that every travel enthusiast should memorize before embarking on their journey. Because there will always be opportunities, beautiful sights that appear and entice us on our trip - but it's very possible that they are just temptations or illusions. And there will always be those who dream of a paradise like in the movies.The Beach, a place where there is only freedom and joy,"But if you can't accept hell, don't aspire to heaven."
Linh Son (Cao Hanh Kien)
LIVELinh SonIt's a different world, completely different from the most captivating "travel" novels on the market.Linh SonThe elements of time, space, and human existence are illusory and unreal, but this unreality does not complicate or obscure the story—on the contrary, it paints a remarkably simple world: where time, space, and humanity merge into a pristine, fluid, and infinite flow.
Linh SonConsidered a representative work of Gao Xingjian, the novel was written by the author from 1982 to 1989. The novel consists of 81 separate chapters – if not disjointed – interwoven between two narrative perspectives, one speaking from the other.eyelashes, a selfusBoth characters embark on strange journeys, heading towards the mysterious "mountain of souls." This quest for the sacred mountain is essentially a journey through time and space, revisiting fragments of memories, symbols, cultural traditions, and Chinese history. The settings range from wild mountains and forests to villages and real historical sites; from legendary landmarks like Nuwa and Fuxi to the specific timelines of the Cultural Revolution and the May Fourth Movement; from desolate rural areas to bustling cities; all seamlessly and enchantingly merge into Ling Shan.
One of the two narrators, through their journey through the glorious fragments of the past, will help the reader delve into the values of China, admiring the anecdotes and historical stories that unfold like brushstrokes on a giant ink painting. And the other narrator, through their persistent search for the sacred mountain, finds… himself.
"I said, understanding this world is impossible."
He explained that he was only talking about the half-fish, half-bird creature, not the world.
And I said, "There is no difference between a half-fish, half-bird creature and this world."
