Book Details

My First Half of Life: Definitive Edition

My First Half of Life: Definitive Edition

Aisin-Gioro Puyi / Guangming Daily Press /January 1, 2022

"My First Half of Life" is Puyi's autobiographical memoir, which comprehensively and profoundly reflects his legendary and turbulent life. Starting from his family background, Puyi recalled major historical events such as his entry into the palace to become emperor, the Xinhai Revolution, the abdication of the Qing Dynasty, and the establishment of the Republic of China. He also described the chaotic situation during the Beiyang warlords' melee period and his life after leaving the palace. His experience in Tianjin's guest house and the puppet Manchukuo period is an unforgettable page in his life. This book is not only an autobiography of a person, but also a microcosm of China's modern history. Readers can feel the vicissitudes of that era and the ups and downs of personal destiny. Puyi used plain and natural language to truly and profoundly reflect his own mental journey, which is shocking to read. It is a classic worth reading.


Outline Notes

Summary of "My First Half of Life"Chapter 1: Prince Chun&39;s MansionSection 1: Family Background- The Power Figure Behind Grandfather Empress Dowager Cixi - Grandfather Yihuan was an important politician and military general in the late Qing Dynasty and a staunch supporter of Empress Dowager Cixi. - Father Zaifeng&39;s Regent Career - Father Zaifeng played an important role in the historical changes in the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, and served as a regent. Section 2: Childhood Life- Palace-style Education - Puyi received strict palace education since childhood, learning the Four Books and Five Classics, etiquette, etc. - Lonely and Closed Childhood - Due to the sensitivity of his identity, Puyi&39;s childhood was relatively lonely and his interactions with others were limited. Chapter 2: The Emperor in the Forbidden CitySection 1: Ascension and Abdication- Ascended the throne at the age of three - Puyi was made emperor at the age of three. Due to his young age, the real power was in the hands of Regent Zaifeng and eunuchs. - Abdication after the Revolution of 1911 - After the victory of the Revolution of 1911, Puyi was forced to abdicate, but retained the treatment of the emperor. Section 2: Life in the Imperial Palace - The influence of eunuchs and maids - The eunuchs and maids in the palace had an influence on Puyi&39;s growth that could not be ignored, especially the corruption and power struggle of the eunuchs. - Education and entertainment - Although there were famous teachers to guide him in education, the actual effect was limited; entertainment activities were mostly traditional play and drama. Chapter 3: The Puppet Emperor of ManchukuoSection 1: Going to the Northeast - Used as a puppet - The Japanese used Puyi to establish the puppet Manchukuo, and Puyi believed the Japanese&39;s promise and went to the Northeast. Section 2: The essence of the puppet regime - The emperor without real power - In the puppet Manchukuo, Puyi was only the emperor in name only, and actually had no political power. Chapter 4: Transformation and rebirthSection 1: Life as a prisoner in the Soviet Union - Prisoner after the war - After the end of World War II, Puyi was captured by the Soviet Red Army and taken to the Soviet Union. Section 2: Fushun War Criminals Management Center - Self-reflection and Change - During his time in Fushun War Criminals Management Center in China, Puyi began a deep self-reflection and transformation. Section 3: New Life - Becoming an Ordinary Citizen - After a long period of transformation, Puyi was finally pardoned and became an ordinary Chinese citizen, ending the first half of his life.


Catchy Sentences

Excerpts of wonderful sentences or paragraphs from "My First Half of Life: Authoritative Edition": 1. Sentence: "Marriage has nothing to do with love. People always think that they will get married naturally after love matures, but they don't know that marriage is just a way of life. Everyone can get married. It's very simple. Love is completely another matter." Reason for selection: It is profound and explains the difference between marriage and love. It has a unique perspective. 2. Sentence: "The best revenge is not hatred, but indifference from the bottom of your heart. Why spend energy to hate someone who has nothing to do with you." Reason for selection: It is full of wisdom and expresses a high-level philosophy of life. 3. Paragraph: "It is the most foolish thing to show off one's self-esteem in front of money and love. We should know how to cherish true love: no one is destined to be together. Life is not long. It is so lucky to meet the one you love. Why not hold his hand tightly? It is not shameful to love only one person in your life. You know in your heart that there will be better people besides him, but you can't be so greedy. One heart needs to warm another heart, and be honest with each other, so that you can be happy." Reason for selection: The language is beautiful and philosophical, and it deeply depicts the true meaning of love. 4. Sentence: "There is no day to graduate from the science of interpersonal relationships. Every day is like throwing yourself into sand and gravel, grinding slowly, and the precious experience accumulated after the skin is broken and bleeding is what people generally call smoothness." Reason for selection: It is profound and vividly depicts the complexity of interpersonal relationships and the importance of learning. 5. Sentence: "Being in a low position has its advantages. People are embarrassed to make things difficult for you. As long as you behave yourself, you can muddle through. Once you are promoted, countless people will come up and insist on fighting with you. Don't you fight? They come to you, and you fight? Kill a few, and people will say you are cruel and ruthless. If you walk away, others will point at your back and say: Look, he only knows how to be an official, and has no real talent or knowledge." Reason for selection: It is creative and vividly shows the difficulties and challenges in the workplace through metaphors. 6. Sentence: "I don't know whether to be angry or funny, but I decided to laugh in the end. Who can think of the things in this world? Just like you can't know what kind of people you will meet, what kind of things you will encounter, you will never know when your destiny will turn. Sometimes an inadvertent glance or a chance encounter can rewrite a person's life." Reason for selection: It has a unique perspective and beautiful language, expressing a deep understanding of the unpredictability of fate. 7. Paragraph: "I have disappointed those who hate me because I live so well. When I was a wife, my husband was unfaithful and I played a tragic role. When I was a lover, I did not have a happy ending and became a joke in the eyes of others. But now, I have trampled on both tragedy and jokes. Even if I cannot be the protagonist, I will definitely not be a clown." Reason for selection: Full of wisdom and strength, it shows the tenacity and self-confidence of the protagonist. 8. Sentence: "No matter how modest a woman is, she will always regard herself as a beauty in her heart." Reason for selection: It is profound and reveals the self-beautification tendency that is prevalent in human nature. 9. Sentence: "Things in the world are often like this. It is too late to turn back. Even if you are willing to become a bad horse, there may not be grass waiting for you to turn back." Reason for selection: The language is beautiful and full of wisdom, and vivid metaphors are used to explain the helplessness and choices in life. 10. Paragraph: "You have to walk the road step by step, and you have to endure the bitterness yourself. You have to work hard to be reborn. There is no shortcut. Why should people work hard in their lives? There is a very touching answer: 'Because the most painful thing is not failure, but that I could have done it.'" Reason for selection: It is creative and inspiring, and emphasizes the importance of personal effort and growth. 11. Sentence: "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what flavor you will get. You have to eat something bitter every day so as not to forget the bitter taste." Reason for selection: The perspective is unique and full of wisdom, and it uses metaphors to depict the uncertainty and challenges of life. 12. Sentence: "Broken heart is like eating sour ice cream, the heart feels sour and cold, it's unbearable. The feeling of being pursued is like riding the wind, you can get whatever you want. People who have loved must have another shadow living in their hearts. That person who has broken up. His every move, who he was with later, always come back to their ears from time to time." Reason for selection: The language is beautiful and vivid, and it expresses the complex emotions of broken love through metaphors. 13. Paragraph: "Deep down in his heart, a man always hopes that his wife is his wife and his lover is always his lover. Like two planets that always remain 30,000 light years apart and orbit in parallel, never intersecting. And you are the sun, shining brightly." Reason for selection: It is profound and creative, revealing the complex psychology of men in emotional relationships. 14. Sentence: "Marriage has nothing to do with love. People always think that they will get married naturally after their love matures, but they don't know that marriage is just a way of life and everyone can get married.


Author Introduction

Aixinjuelu Puyi: A legendary life from the last emperor to a writer Aixinjuelu Puyi (February 7, 1906 - October 17, 1967) was the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty in China and the last emperor in Chinese history.< His life was full of legends.

From emperor to commoner, and then to writer, Puyi's life experience can be called a historical drama with ups and downs.

Personal basic information: Puyi was born in the Forbidden City in Beijing.< He was the 12th emperor of the Qing Dynasty and the last emperor.

He experienced major historical events such as the demise of the Qing Dynasty, the establishment of the Republic of China, the invasion of Japan, and the founding of New China.

Education and professional background: Puyi received traditional Confucian education in the Forbidden City, and was later forced to become a puppet emperor of the puppet state of Manchukuo during the Japanese occupation.< After Japan surrendered in 1945, Puyi was captured by the Soviet Union and was extradited back to China as a war criminal.

Under the transformation of New China, Puyi gradually transformed from a feudal emperor to a citizen of a socialist country.

Writing career: Puyi's writing career began in 1959, when he began to write his memoirs after being pardoned.< In 1964, his autobiography "My First Half of Life" was published, which attracted widespread attention.

The book records in detail Puyi's transformation from emperor to commoner, as well as his identification and gratitude with the new China.

Style and theme of works: Puyi's writing style is simple and authentic, and the theme of his works mainly focuses on his own experience and his identification with the new China.< His works are not only of high historical value, but also of high literary value.

Personal life: Puyi's personal life has undergone a huge transformation from emperor to commoner.< His marriage life was also quite rough, and he had five wives successively.

Under the transformation of the new China, Puyi gradually adapted to civilian life and became an ordinary citizen.

Social impact: Puyi's works and his life experience have had a profound impact on Chinese society.< His works are considered to be important witnesses of China's modern and contemporary history, and his life experience has also been widely disseminated, becoming an important part of Chinese history.

Quotation and evaluation: "My First Half of Life" has been evaluated by many authoritative media and experts as a work of high historical and literary value.

The People's Daily commented: "Puyi's autobiography is a true, vivid and touching work.< It not only records Puyi's life experience, but also reflects the changes in China's modern history.

" Latest developments: Puyi died in Beijing on October 17, 1967 at the age of 61.< His works and life experience are still widely studied and discussed, and his influence continues.


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