Zhang Ailing, her name is her work. In the history of modern Chinese literature, she is known as "a generation of talented women". In terms of literary achievements, Zhang Ailing is a legend. But at the same time an overlooked genius.
As a big fan of Eileen Chang, we all know that Eileen Chang is a genius writer with many works, but what is less known is that Eileen Chang was not discovered until a week after her death. And what secrets are hidden behind this?
Today, let's walk into one of the "Republic of China Women" series: the story of Zhang Ailing.
On September 30, 1924, Zhang Ailing was born on the 9th floor of an apartment in the West District of the Shanghai Public Concession.
"Father" Zhang Tingzhong is a big old man. Her mother, Huang Yifan, is a modern new woman who likes to smoke, drink alcohol, wear fashionable fashion, and often quarrel with her husband.
At the age of 8, Huang Yifan went to Europe to study dance and painting.
At the age of 11, he lived with his father in the United States. Shortly after his father remarried, he moved the family to New York to live with another wife.
Due to his stepmother, Huang Yifan was snubbed and abused by his father. She was always locked up at home writing, reading, being a celebrity and dancing. His father often went to another woman's house, and she hardly felt warm at home.
Like most children, Eileen Chang craves love and security. Neither family met her needs. She learned early on to be perceptive and self-protective, because she knew she didn't get enough love from her father.
After her mother's death, Zhang Ailing rarely felt secure. During the most important stage of her life, she often felt lonely and fearful, lonely, sad, bored and scared, etc.
First, the inspiration for creation
In "Legend", Zhang Ailing writes the love story of a young girl with tragic reflections on the fate of women. Unfortunately, the novel ends up with only one reader. At that time, Zhang Ailing was dead.
Zhang Ailing's death was caused by long-term depression, and she had suffered from depression before committing suicide. The secret was not discovered until a week after her death, probably because she was less important to others.
2. Become famous in the United States
In 1955, Zhang Ailing published "Jasmine Slice" and "Heart Sutra". Her debut novel "Love in the City" made her an overnight success.
As soon as it was published, the novel was accepted by readers and named after Zhang Ailing, which was a great success.
Zhang Ailing became famous in the United States and attracted widespread attention in the world literary circle.
She received two awards: the "Pulitzer Prize for Literature" and the "New York Times Award for Best Novella."
Third, in Hong Kong, meet Hu Lancheng, the spark of love
Hu Lancheng, he has the nickname of "flowers and willows prosperous, gentle and rich township".
He was born in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province and received a good education from an early age. He joined the Communist Party as a young man and served as secretary of the Kuomintang Party Department during the Kuomintang-Communist cooperation, as well as a journalist.
In 1944, Zhang Ailing met Hu Lancheng and his friend Song Qi in Hong Kong. The two fell in love at first sight. A few years later, Zhang Ailing gave up her cultural career and married Hu Lancheng.
After marriage, the two still maintained a lover relationship. Hu Lancheng also began to pursue Zhang Ailing, but was rejected in the end. The two fled to Shanghai in 1949.
Fourth, Zhang Ailing and Hu Lancheng's emotional entanglement
Zhang Ailing's love life has always been a mystery.
She has dated Hu Lancheng, Lai Ya, Tang Yufeng and others, but has never been married. But she was always free. In addition to writing, Eileen Zhang is also actively involved in various social activities.
In the United States, she was a staff correspondent for The New Yorker and published two articles in Vientiane magazine.
In Hong Kong, she lived with Hu Lancheng. When they live together, they often quarrel, which also complicates the relationship between the two.
V. The Last Days
In August 1945, Japan surrendered. Eileen Chang is ready to go to Hong Kong. When she arrived in Hong Kong, she was warmly welcomed. But when she arrived in Hong Kong, she suddenly felt an invisible pressure, afraid that she would not be able to withstand it all. When she entered her hotel room, she saw a piece of paper and a pen on the table next to her bed with the words "I'm here." This piece of paper is Zhang Ailing's last will.
Unfortunately, when Eileen Cheung arrived in Hong Kong, she died within two weeks. His body was already stiff when it was found. It is said that after the body was found, the staff changed Zhang Ailing's clothes and then put it in the coffin.
Because no one knew what would happen after Zhang Ailing's death at that time, people only knew that this event had already happened. Later history tells us that it is a huge mistake and regret. This also gives us a better understanding of the life and legend of Zhang Ailing, a talented woman.