pickI fell in love with the illustrations for this book, and bought it not expecting the text to be of the same standard, translated as it was by a British colonial official in the 1930's, which shows my own prejudices as Clark avoids being patronising and turns a nice phrase. My main gripe, is that he rendered the verse into prose.
Su's subjects include curiosities seen on his travels, family matters and thoughts on life, the universe and everything.
"The residence of T'ien Sui-shêng is covered with foliage. The walls are few, but there is plenty of space, which is covered in maps and books. Both in front and behind the garden is planted with medlar and chrysanthemum. The spring shoots are most luxuriant and may be plucked for making tea for cup and table."
If I had a time machine, I'd pay a visit to 9th century CE China to browse the maps and books of T'ien Sui-shêng, and share a cup of tea.
"We pass through this world like two gnats in a husk of millet on a boundless ocean! I grieve that life is but a moment in time, and envy the endless current of the Great River. Would that I might clasp to me some flying sprite and forever wander with him! Would that I might embrace the lightsome moon for all eternity!"
- "The Red Cliffs"
The woodcut illustrations for this selection of verse and prose poetry by the 11th century CE writer and frequently exiled government official, Su Tung-p'o are strikingly done in a classical Chinese style (according to the preface - I'm no expert) by the wonderfully named Averil Salmond Le Gros Clark, whose husband is the translator. I'm expecting his style to be rather fusty for some reason - we'll see.
The rather unprepossessing faded yellow board covers, soiled and scuffed, of this book revealed its contents to be well preserved and rather lovely. The other illustrations are as striking, and the text seems interesting. So, this one managed to fit within the rather small centre of the Venn diagram of, i) books I can afford from this shop, and; ii) books I (think) I want. 🙂
Selections from the Works of Su Tung-Po: Wood Engravings by Averil Salmond Le Gros Clark | 
