The birth place of renowned local writer Eileen Chang (Zhang
Ailing in Chinese) has finally been found after years of searching
by a Shanghai radio host, Youth Daily reported today.
However, the building along the Suzhou Creek is being
dismantled.
"She was born on No. 87 Kangding Road," said the host, known as
Chun Zi. "Chang's brother confirmed the location by a photograph."
Chang (1920 -- 1995) is one of the most popular Chinese writers
of the 20th century, and a woman who made a major contribution to
the cultural life of Shanghai. She's also one of the few 20th
century Chinese writers who wrote in both Chinese and English.
"It's known previously that Chang was born in a western style
villa close to the rivers -- end on Taixing Road," she told the
newspaper. "Kangding Road used to be a part of Taixing Road."
Though 11 years have passed since she died alone in her home in
Los Angeles in California, Chang still lives on in the hearts of
Chinese literature lovers everywhere.
Before Chang's birth place was found, her former residence at
the intersection of Changde Road and Yuyuan Road was frequently
visited by her fans.
Born in Shanghai on September 30, 1920, Chang's paternal
grandfather was a son-in-law of Li Hung -- Chang, a leading Chinese
statesman of the Qing Dynasty (1644 -- 1911).
Chang entered the University of Hong Kong to study literature in
1939 but was forced to return to Shanghai when Hong Kong fell to
the Japanese army in 1941. She lived in the Edinburgh Apartments
until the summer of 1947.
Since 1985, there has been a remarkable upsurge in interest of
Chang's works nationwide. They are being read, discussed and even
adapted into films, TV series, plays and even operas.
Chang's novels and books about the legend of her life and love
affairs are being published by dozens of publishing houses.
In 2003, The Map of Eileen Chang was published about
the places in Shanghai where Chang had stayed or just had a cup of
coffee. It was an instant best-seller. The same year also saw the
success of This Life (Jin Sheng Jin Shi) written
by her first husband Hu, telling the tale of his love affair with
Chang.?
?
(CRI.com December 5, 2006)
