Rickshaw Boy - A Famous Chinese Novel to Learn Mandarin Fast

Are you interested in learning Mandarin? If so, there's an amazing way to immerse yourself in the language and culture of China by reading famous Chinese novels. One such novel that stands out is "Rickshaw Boy" (also known as "Camel" or "Luotuo Xiangzi"). Not only is it an engaging and captivating story, but it also offers a unique opportunity to learn Mandarin at an accelerated pace. In this article, we will delve into the world of "Rickshaw Boy" and explore how it can help you in your journey to master Mandarin.

The Story Behind Rickshaw Boy

"Rickshaw Boy" is a novel written by the acclaimed Chinese author Lao She in 1937. The story revolves around the life of its protagonist, Xiangzi, a poor rickshaw puller in Beijing. Despite his struggles, Xiangzi is determined to break free from the limitations of his occupation and become a successful businessman. The novel takes the readers through Xiangzi's journey of hardships, love, hope, and self-discovery.

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China’s Great Contemporary Literature 2: Rickshaw Boy, Camel Luotuo Xiangzi, Famous Chinese Novels, Learn Mandarin Fast, Improve Vocabulary (Simplified Characters, Pinyin, Graded Reader Level 5)

by SK Mishra (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	524 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	74 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Why "Rickshaw Boy" is a Great Tool for Learning Mandarin

Now you may wonder how reading a novel can help you learn Mandarin fast. Well, "Rickshaw Boy" is not just any novel. It is a masterpiece that showcases the Chinese language in its purest form. By reading this novel, you will be exposed to native Chinese vocabulary, grammar, and idiomatic expressions. This immersive language experience is an invaluable resource for language learners.

Moreover, "Rickshaw Boy" offers an insightful glimpse into Chinese culture and society during the early 20th century. Through its vivid descriptions and compelling characters, you will gain a deeper understanding of the Chinese way of life, traditions, and values. This cultural context will enhance your overall language learning journey and help you connect with the Mandarin language on a more profound level.

The Benefits of Reading Famous Novels for Language Learning

Reading famous novels, like "Rickshaw Boy," has several advantages when it comes to language learning:

• Vocabulary Expansion: Novels expose you to a wide range of vocabulary that you may not encounter in typical language courses or textbooks. This exposure will expand your lexicon and improve your overall fluency in Mandarin.
• Grammar Mastery: By reading sentences and paragraphs in their natural context, you will develop a better understanding of grammar structures and sentence patterns. This comprehension will enable you to construct more accurate and sophisticated sentences in Mandarin.
• Improved Reading Skills: Reading novels will help you enhance your reading comprehension skills in Mandarin. As you progress through the book, you will gradually become more comfortable with reading Chinese characters and understanding their meanings.
• Emotional Engagement: Novels provide an emotional connection to the language. You can relate to the characters and their experiences, allowing you to immerse yourself in the story and language on a deeper level. This emotional engagement will make your Mandarin learning experience more enjoyable and memorable.
• Cultural Insight: Famous novels often depict specific historical periods or cultural contexts. By reading these novels, you will gain insights into Chinese history, traditions, and lifestyles. This knowledge will not only enrich your Mandarin learning but also broaden your cultural understanding.

Tips for Learning Mandarin Through Reading "Rickshaw Boy"

To maximize your Mandarin learning experience while reading "Rickshaw Boy," follow these tips:

1. Annotate and Highlight: Mark new vocabulary, grammar patterns, and cultural references in the book. This practice will help you review and reinforce what you've learned.
2. Create Flashcards: Use digital flashcard applications or traditional physical flashcards to practice and memorize new words and phrases encountered in the novel.
3. Listen to the Audiobook: Combine your reading with listening to the audiobook version of "Rickshaw Boy" to improve your listening comprehension and pronunciation.
4. Join Language Exchange Groups: Engage in conversation with native Mandarin speakers or fellow language learners to practice your speaking skills and gain cultural insights.
5. Watch the Movie Adaptation: After finishing the novel, consider watching the movie adaptation to reinforce your understanding of the story and its cultural context.

If you're serious about learning Mandarin and want to immerse yourself in Chinese culture, reading famous Chinese novels like "Rickshaw Boy" is an excellent way to achieve both goals. Not only will you improve your Mandarin language skills, but you will also gain invaluable insights into Chinese history and society. So, grab a copy of "Rickshaw Boy" and embark on a captivating journey that will fast-track your Mandarin learning adventure!

China’s Great Contemporary Literature 2: Rickshaw Boy, Camel Luotuo Xiangzi, Famous Chinese Novels, Learn Mandarin Fast, Improve Vocabulary (Simplified Characters, Pinyin, Graded Reader Level 5)

by SK Mishra (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	524 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	74 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The novel, Rickshaw Boy, also known as Camel Xiangzi/Luotuo Xiangzi (骆驼祥子), is a contemporary literary masterpiece written by the Chinese novelist, Lao She/Shu Qingchun (老舍/舒庆春, 1899-1966). The novel describes the tragic fate and exploitation of rickshaw pullers during the period of social unrest and turmoil in the 1920s (before the revolution of 1949). Specifically, "Camel Xiangzi" tells the life experience of a young, strong and enthusiastic rickshaw driver, Xiangzi (祥子), in China’s Peiping City (name of Beijing 1928-1949, 中国北平城). In fact, Xiangzi is a representative of the working masses of the old Chinese society. Xiangzi, coming from the countryside, is a bankrupt young farmer. He is hardworking, simple, kind and always eager to buy his own rickshaw with honest labor. To be an independent rickshaw puller is Xiangzi's wish, hope, and even religion. With hard work and perseverance, he spent three years saving money, and finally realized his goal and became a self-supporting rickshaw puller. However, just six months after pulling, the rickshaw was destroyed. Xiangzi was not discouraged, and again started stubbornly from the beginning, and started to save money. However, all his savings were blackmailed and looted by selfish people he trusted the most.

Kindle Edition:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0893TFJ9G
Paperback Edition:
www.amazon.com/dp/B08924GFJ2

The book has 10 chapters in the following order:
Chapter 1: Three years of hard work, Xiangzi buys a rickshaw (第一章：奋战三年，祥子买车)
Chapter 2: The rickshaw was taken away (第二章：车被收走，祥子被迫行军)
Chapter 3: Xiangzi flees and sells camels (第三章：祥子出逃，卖了骆驼)
Chapter 4: Xiangzi desperately earns money (第四章：祥子拼命挣钱，包月不久辞职)
Chapter 5: Xiangzi was lured by Hu Niu (第五章：祥子被虎妞引诱)
Chapter 6: The rickshaw was broken (第六章：祥子拉包月摔坏了车)
Chapter 7: Hu Niu fakes pregnancy (第七章：虎妞假怀孕，找祥子要说法)
Chapter 8: Xiangzi's money was blackmailed by Detective Sun (第八章：祥子的钱被孙侦探勒索干净)
Chapter 9: Xiangzi and Hu Niu get married (第九章：祥子和虎妞结婚 虎妞难产去世)
Chapter 10: Xiaofuzi commits suicide, Xiangzi becomes depraved (第十章：小福子自杀 祥子变堕落)

The current book volume, China’s Great Contemporary Literature 2, is a Level 5 Chinese reading practice book. It would introduce you to the famous Chinese novel Luotuo Xiangzi (骆驼祥子). The new volume in China’s Great Contemporary Literature (中国当代文学, 精简版, simplified edition) includes both the Chinese text (simplified characters) and pinyin Romanization. With over 1000 unique Chinese characters, the volume would be suitable for the beginners, lower intermediate and advanced level Chinese language learners (HSK 1-6). Overall, the reading series offers you a variety of elementary level books (Level 1/2/3/4/5/6) to understand China as well as practice Chinese reading fast.

More books are available on the author’s homepage:
https://amzn.to/2ZnR4cg