Quotes from Atsushi Nakajima's books, and about them
Li Ling on Records of the Grand Historian: “Later generations know Sima Qian as the author of the Shiji, a great name, but at the time the Grand Historian Sima Qian was a mere minor clerk of letters. His father's deathbed scene was described in detail by his son's own brush in the last chapter of the Records of the Grand Historian. [auto-translated]”
Li Ling on Zuo Zhuan: “When it came to the Zuo Zhuan and the Guoyu, there were certainly facts, and the skill of narration in the Zuo Zhuan could only be admired; but there was no inquiry into the individual people who made those events. [auto-translated]”
Li Ling on Guoyu: “He wanted more facts, facts over lessons. With the Zuo Zhuan and the Guoyu there are facts indeed, but there is no inquiry into the individual people behind them, and their portrayal within events, though vivid, lacks any investigation of their backgrounds. [auto-translated]”
Li Ling on Book of Han: “The Book of Han records that, to treat Su Wu's wound, the Xiongnu dug a pit, lit a fire in it, laid the wounded man over it and trod on his back to draw out the blood. [auto-translated]”
Li Ling on Spring and Autumn Annals: “His plan for a history was unlike any earlier history. As a standard of moral judgment he held up the Spring and Autumn Annals, but as a history that conveyed facts he found it thoroughly unsatisfying. He wanted more facts, facts over lessons. [auto-translated]”
Light, Wind and Dreams on Treasure Island: “The South Sea Letters are said to have disappointed editors and readers. The author of Treasure Island, they seem to feel, ought to go on writing about pirates and buried treasure for ever. [auto-translated]”
Light, Wind and Dreams on Kidnapped: “With the History of Samoa finished, I can at last give myself wholly to David Balfour. It is the sequel to Kidnapped. I have started it many times and dropped it, but this time I may see it through. [auto-translated]”
Light, Wind and Dreams on The Wrecker: “The Wrecker is at last finished, and A Footnote to History is coming along too. How hard it is to write contemporary history, especially when every character is an acquaintance of your own. [auto-translated]”
Light, Wind and Dreams on The Master of Ballantrae: “David Balfour is to be the first work since The Master of Ballantrae that can really count. Nobody else can quite understand how fond the author is of young Davie. [auto-translated]”