Six Records of a Floating Life by Shen Fu is praised for its vivid, intimate portrayal of 18th-century Chinese life and rich emotional depth. Readers appreciate its poetic prose and cultural insights. However, some find its structure fragmented due to incomplete records. Overall, it offers a unique glimpse into personal and historical narratives, balancing beauty with melancholy.

A reader who enjoys Six Records of a Floating Life by Shen Fu is likely captivated by historical memoirs and Chinese culture. Fans of The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon or Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin will appreciate its intimate glimpse into Qing Dynasty domestic life and personal reflections on art, love, and society.

Six Records of a Floating Life by Shen Fu is a partially autobiographical narrative detailing the experiences of a Qing Dynasty individual. Through six distinct records, the text explores themes of love, friendship, and societal customs, providing intimate insights into Shen Fu's life with his wife, Yun, and their shared joys and challenges.

Contemplative / Nostalgic / Romantic / Bittersweet / Melancholic

- Six Records of a Floating Life is a memoir written in the early 19th century by Shen Fu, highlighting his life during the Qing Dynasty through six unique narratives, although only four of the records are known to have survived.
- The original manuscript of Six Records of a Floating Life was rediscovered in the 1870s, over 50 years after Shen Fu's death, eventually gaining recognition as a classic of Chinese literature.
- Shen Fu's work is renowned for its candid and poetic style, offering a rare glimpse into the personal aspects of Chinese life, love, and social customs during his era.

Shen Fu

Adult

Autobiography / Memoir

Nonfiction

Guide

Study Guide

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Six Records of a Floating Life and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Six Records of a Floating Life Summary and Study Guide

Background

Six Records of a Floating Life Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1 Six Records of a Floating Life Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2 Six Records of a Floating Life Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3 Six Records of a Floating Life Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4 Six Records of a Floating Life Part 4 Summary & Analysis

keyFigure

Key Figures

Six Records of a Floating Life Key Figures

theme

Themes

Six Records of a Floating Life Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Six Records of a Floating Life Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

character

Important Quotes

Six Records of a Floating Life Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Six Records of a Floating Life Essay Topics

Six Records of a Floating Life

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Six Records of a Floating Life?

Reading Age

Book Details