THE PLEASURES OF A NONCONFORMIST WORLD

by Lin Yutang ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 20, 1962

These are lectures most of which were given by Lin Yutang in South America this year. Topically, the separate essays fall into three categories: ""Chinese Philosophic Method"", ""Random sketches on things that amuse me"", and ""Chinese art and letters"". Mr. Lin, who has the rare ability to sustain tongue in cheek without distorting the face of commitment, is in the best of form here whether he be aphorizing on Confucius As A Human Character, Chinese Calligraphy As an Abstract Art, The Necessity of Summer Resorts, Some Good Uses for Our Bad Instincts, Dogs in New York or Intuition and Logical Thinking. Particularly amusing is Lin's commentary on the English, their wise illogicality, their similarity to the Chinese: ""Some day England will become a true socialist state with all the lords and a queen on the throne and still call it a monarchy. Will they be bothered. No."" There are the usual Lineal chidings vis-a-vis the West and its systems: ""If we leave logical arguments alone, we find that intuitive insight is very much like common sense, which is not very common among intellectuals"". As always -- immensely readable, charmingly aphoristic, delicately Chinese.

Pub Date: Nov. 20, 1962

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: World

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1962

Categories: NONFICTION