Shen Fu

Author of the book, Shen Fu's literary name is San Pai. He lived in the late-1700s in Soochow China, and was educated to be a magistrate, but only succeeded in enough of his education to become a secretary to the magistrates in yamen offices, or government buildings. The focus of his records, however, focus almost entirely on his personal life outside of work, so his mediocre success is relevant only in that it is the cause for his moving with his wife several times, and at some times not having quite enough money. He is a lover and an artist primarily, and writes his memoirs with emphasis on those things, inviting the reader to enter in to his most precious and felicitous memories.

He and his wife, Yun, have a playful and equitable romance, respecting each other so completely that they hope that in their next...