Recently, Xu Anhua’s new work “The First Incense” was shortlisted for the non-competitive unit of the 77th Venice International Film Festival, which has also sparked discussion about the original work – Eileen Chang’s “Incense Ashes: The First Incense”. I believe many people will want to revisit this classic novel before the official release of the film. This year marks the centenary of Eileen Chang’s birth and the twenty-fifth anniversary of her death. Crown Culture, authorized by Song Yilang and Song Yuanlin, has collaborated with the Taiwanese crowdfunding platform “Zeczec” to launch Eileen Chang’s centenary commemorative merchandise, the “Gorgeous and Desolate: Eileen Chang Collection Notebook”, with its exquisite and beautiful design that will surely captivate Eileen Chang fans.
The words of the modern female novelist Eileen Chang are truly fascinating, she delicately portrays a love world that is both beautiful and moving, yet also realistically cruel. From her works, many classic love quotes can be excerpted. The “Gorgeous and Desolate” Eileen Chang Collection Notebook is printed with excerpts from her classic works, as well as Eileen Chang’s manuscripts and hand-drawn illustrations, allowing you to reread many of Eileen Chang’s classics while writing in the notebook.
This notebook is divided into 4 main themes, namely “Small Reunions: Novel Quotes”, “Genius Dreams: Weekly Entries”, “Worldly Phenomena: Checkered Patterns”, “Ashes Record: Blank Pages”. If you are familiar with Eileen Chang, you should know that these themes are named after her works, and the different themes clearly divide the pages of the notebook, making it more convenient for writing notes.
“In Small Reunions: Selected Quotes from Novels,” 8 excerpts from Eileen Chang’s classic works are featured, including “Lust, Caution,” “Red Rose, White Rose,” and “Love in a Fallen City,” presented on classic book paper, adding a touch of quality. The “Genius Dream: Weekly Notes” page prints short sentences from Eileen Chang’s prose, embodying a gorgeous yet melancholic writing style that also touches the heart.
From the section “Worldly Appearance: Square Checkered Pattern,” you can see Zhang Ailing’s hand-drawn sketches of various life scenes, these pages also leave more space for you to record daily life or write down emotional sentences. As for the final section “Ashes Record: Blank Pages,” in addition to the classic printed paper, Japanese rice-colored Kawakami paper is selected, the paper texture is more delicate and smooth, allowing you to freely write, draw, or paste, creating a unique style.
Another thing worth mentioning is the special binding of this planner, which features a “naked back with thread binding” that allows the planner to lay flat at 180 degrees for writing, as well as easier flipping through pages. The crimson red thread also exudes the charm of ancient books. The cover is designed with Zhang Ailing’s handwritten words and hand-drawn illustrations as design elements, along with delicate monochrome embossing, making this planner more elegant and magnificent. I believe literary youths will absolutely love it!
Image source: ZeZe official website, Facebook@Crown Culture Group
