Dueling writer's diary

A diary manuscript from 80 years ago has provided new evidence on the grudge between two iconic Chinese writers. The manuscript belongs to Chinese bilingual author Lin Yutang who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature several times in the 1970s. The diary (in Chinese) was written between January 1929 and December 1932.

Lin wrote about his antipathy toward Chinese writer Lu Xun. The two writers used to be good friends.

His diary for August 1929 reveals, "I had a verbal war with Lu Xun at the end of August, which is funny, the man has already lost his mind."

Tuo Xiaotang, senior manager of the Chinese Rare Books Department at Guardian auction house, said he is probably referring to August 28 when he and Lu Xun both attended a banquet.

The diary gives no details of their verbal war, but Lu Xun wrote that on the evening of August 28 that Lin ridiculed him when they had dinner with several other people.

The two writers are known to have had several letter-wars. They argued on topics such as being a good man and being a good writer.

Lu Xun's works are famous for incisive and ironic language, while Lin was active in popularizing classical Chinese literature in the West, as well as the general Chinese attitude toward life.

Tuo said that when the manuscript first showed up on the auction market in Shanghai 15 years ago, not many people took notice of it.

Lin Yutang wrote My Country and My People and The Importance of Living.

Global Times/Xinhua

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