Chinese Sketches by Herbert A. Giles

Name: Chinese Sketches
Author: Herbert A. Giles

The collection of essays explores Chinese culture and society through vignettes of everyday life, highlighting the contradictions between traditional values and modern influences. It portrays a China in transition, where ancient customs coexist with Western ideas and technology. The sketches depict various aspects of Chinese life, including social hierarchy, family dynamics, education, and morality.

By Herbert A. Giles · First published 1882 · Genre: Travel Literature, Cultural Studies, Non-fiction · 42 chapters · 66,846 words

First lines

His Imperial Majesty, Tsai-Shun, deputed by Heaven to reign over all within the four seas, expired on the evening of Tuesday the 13th January 1875, aged eighteen years and nine months. He was erroneously known to foreigners as the Emperor T'ung Chih; but T'ung Chih was merely the style of his reign, adopted in order that the people should not profane by vulgar utterance a name they are not even permitted to write.[*] Until the new monarch, the late Emperor's cousin, had been duly installed, no word of what had taken place was breathed beyond the walls of the palace; for dangerous thoughts might have arisen had it been known that the State was drifting rudderless, a prey to the wild waves of sedition and lawless outbreak. The accession of a child to reign under the style of Kuang Hsu was proclaimed before it was publicly made known that his predecessor had passed away.

What this Textopian page supports

Chinese Sketches is listed on Textopian as a novel by Herbert A. Giles, dated 1882 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Herbert A. Giles
Date: 1882 CE
Language: English
Genres: Travel Literature, Cultural Studies, Non-fiction, Anthropology, History
Length: 66,846 words
Structure: 42 chapters, 320 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Travel Literature — The book provides detailed observations and descriptions of Chinese culture and society from the perspective of a foreign traveler.
Cultural Studies — It offers insights into the customs, traditions, and social norms of China, making it a valuable resource for understanding Chinese culture.
Non-fiction — The work is based on real experiences and factual observations, rather than fictional storytelling.
Anthropology — The book examines the behaviors, practices, and social structures of Chinese society, akin to an anthropological study.