Title: Krylov's Fables

Author: Ivan Andreyevich Krylov (Russian)

Translator: Feng Jia

Publisher: Sino-Culture Press

Edition: The 1st edition in August 2022

Printing: The 1st printing in August 2022

Format: 16mo Binding: Hardcover

Printed Sheets: 33 Word Count: 260,000

ISBN: 9787507555400

Price: 68.00 CNY

Aesop's Fables from ancient Greece, La Fontaine's Fables from 17th - century France, Lessing's Fables from 18th - century Germany, and Krylov's Fables from 19th - century Russia constitute the four great classics of world fables.

Krylov's Fables are a gem in the treasure trove of world literature. With the most concise words and the most vivid images, the author has made the most concentrated and compact generalization of the dynamics of life and the aspects of human society. He organically combines the natural instincts of various animals with different types and personalities of humans, successfully depicting numerous characters. Also, by means of various animal images, he satirizes the Tsarist Russian society and exposes the rulers. Krylov's Fables have a wide range of themes, profound moral implications, and unique artistic charm. They are not only good teachers and helpful friends to children but also suitable for adults to enjoy in their spare time. The birds and beasts in Krylov's works are not abstract symbols deliberately dressed in the guise of animals, but vivid characters with typical significance. Almost every fable is a highly generalized small realistic drama. Krylov has innovated, inherited, and developed the tradition of fables, expanded the scope of fables, and enhanced their combat effectiveness.

Krylov's Fables have spread widely and remained popular for nearly two centuries. During the author's lifetime, his fables had been translated into the major European languages. In the former Soviet Union, his fables were translated into more than fifty national languages. In China, there may be nearly 10 versions of Krylov's Fables published by different publishers and translated by different translators.

The present translation is rendered from the complete collection of Krylov's Fables, accompanied by dozens of beautiful illustrations. It is hoped that this illustrated book will be well - received and loved by a large number of primary and middle school students. Moreover, it is hoped that these instructive fables can enlighten their minds and promote their growth.

La Fontaine's Fables are like a basket of strawberries. At first, you always want to pick out the best and the finest, but gradually, you eat one after another until you finish the whole basket. - Madame de Sévigné, French writer

La Fontaine's Fables offer joy to three different age - groups of readers: children enjoy the freshness and vividness of the stories, eager - to - learn literature students appreciate the perfection of art, and worldly - wise people can read the subtle thoughts conveyed by the characters and life. - Sylvestre de Sacy, French linguist and Oriental studies scholar

Ivan Andreyevich Krylov (1768 - 1844) lived to be 76 years old. He was born in Moscow. When he was 10, his father died. His mother, who had no education, supported the family with a meager pension and by doing odd jobs. Krylov lived in poverty from an early age and couldn't afford to go to school. At the age of 14, he went to the capital to seek employment (as a clerk in the tax office and later worked in the Public Library of St. Petersburg for a long time). However, he was smart and eager to learn since childhood, always devouring any literary works he could get his hands on. He had a strong interest in literary creation and harbored a beautiful dream in his heart. He started writing at the age of 14. Not afraid of setbacks and failures, he tried writing comedies, tragedies based on ancient Greek mythology, farces, ran a publication, and published lyric poems, novellas, and fables. It was not until the publication of his first collection of fables at the age of 35 that he gained a high reputation and established his status as a fable writer. He wrote in one of his poems: "Wishes and expectations, this is the happiness of life!" Krylov's arduous life journey and persistent pursuit, like his fables, provide beneficial inspiration to later generations. His main works include "The Cannon and the Sail", "The Razor", "The Eagle and the Chicken", "The Merry Song", "The Favorite Elephant".

Feng Jia, formerly known as Feng Jiazhen, was born in Yixing, Jiangsu Province in 1932. He studied at Heqiao Primary School, Suzhou Middle School, and the Department of Russian Language and Literature at Peking University. After graduating from university, he remained in the department until retirement. He has a special passion for literary translation. He has published more than 2 million words of translations. His main translations include The Insulted and the Injured, The Chameleon, Krylov's Fables, Farewell, Gulsary!, The Guillotine, Motl, The Collected Novels of Garshin, The Fate of a Man, Rudin, Mumu.

The Cicada and the Ant

Translator's Note

The First Collection

The Crow and the Fox

The Oak and the Reed

The Musician

The Crow and the Hen

The Casket

The Toad and the Ox

The Girl Choosing a Husband

Parnassus

The Oracle

The Cornflower

The Wood and the Fire

The Siskin and the Hedgehog

The Wolf and the Lamb

The Monkeys

The Titmouse

The Donkey

The Monkey and the Spectacles

The Two Pigeons

...