chengyu: chinoiserie - Paperback

chengyu: chinoiserie - Paperback

$15.70
Sale price  $15.70 Regular price 
Skip to product information
chengyu: chinoiserie - Paperback

chengyu: chinoiserie - Paperback

$15.70
Sale price  $15.70 Regular price 

by Rachel Ka Yin Leung (Author)

The "chengyu", Mandarin Chinese for idiom, condenses a feeling, sentence and more often than not a story into four characters. Similarly, each of Leung's poems is a cross-section; aiming to capture a slice of the world, or a relationship and presenting them to the reader as representations of the whole.

Each of the poems in chengyu: chinoiserie are literal translations or re-interpretations of a Chinese idiom, referencing the duality of identity in Leung's bilingual and cross-cultural upbringing; each idiom and poem a succinct summary of an important relationship, person or part of her life. The meaning of "chinoiserie" is subverted in her poems as these idioms reimagined as English poems are neither particularly "chinese-esque" or "un-chinese-esque", though the author is very much fully Chinese herself. This is done because the Asian author writing in English does not have the obligation to only strictly write about Orientalist themes, nor should they avoid writing about their culture should they have something they wish to express.

The author's first collection is an earnest exploration into the themes of young love and coming-of-age, which are so often looked-down upon in poetry as immature and unimportant. Leung also explores the meaning of sociocultural as well as personal identity through a world of visuals and objects.

Number of Pages: 30
Dimensions: 0.07 x 8.27 x 5.83 IN
Publication Date: March 09, 2020

Intentional design

We make things that work better and last longer. Our products solve real problems with clean design.

Quality first

We obsess over the details and strive to deliver the best products at the best prices, every time.

Customer care

We're always on your side: keeping our loyal customers happy is our top priority and number one goal.

Feature 1

Made with care and unconditionally loved by our customers, this signature bestseller exceeds all expectations.

Feature 2

Made with care and unconditionally loved by our customers, this signature bestseller exceeds all expectations.

At the heart of every product lies a unique story, driven by our passion for quality and innovation. Each item enhances your everyday life and sparks joy.