Guide to the Pai Hsien-yung (Kenneth Pai) papers UArch FacP 29
Processed by Special Collections staff, D. Tambo and E. Fields. Revisions by Beaudry Allen and Alice He, 2018; Zachary Liebhaber,
2019.
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara 93106-9010
special@library.ucsb.edu
2003, 2018, 2019
Title: Pai Hsien-yung (Kenneth Pai) papers
Identifier/Call Number: UArch FacP 29
Contributing Institution:
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections
Language of Material:
Multiple languages
Physical Description:
5.5 linear feet
(11 boxes, 13 videos, and posters)
Creator:
Bai, Xianyong, 1937-
Date (inclusive): circa 1971-2016
Date (bulk): circa 1971-1997
Abstract: The collection encompasses an extensive assortment of printed works, literary manuscripts and other material relating to the
novels, plays, short stories, and films adapted from the work of UCSB Professor Emeritus Hsien-yung Pai (Kenneth Pai).
Physical Location: Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library
Language of Material: Materials are in Chinese and English.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Research Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish
or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given
on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply
permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.
Acquisition Information
Donated by creator, 1997, 2014, 2016, and 2017.
Biographical Note
Pai Hsien-yung, (Kenneth Pai) is a UCSB Professor Emeritus and an internationally recognized Chinese author.
Born in 1937 in Guilin, China, Pai received his B.A. from National Taiwan University in 1961 and his M.F.A. from the International
Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa in 1965. From 1965 to 1993 he taught Chinese language and literature in the East
Asian Studies Program at UCSB.
Pai has written 34 short stories and one novel, plus numerous other articles and prose pieces. He is one of the founders and
the main caretaker of the most influential modern Chinese literary magazine,
Modern Literature (Xian dai wen xue). His works have been translated into English, French, Korean, Japanese, and German and other languages.
Son of a high-ranking general in the Chinese Nationalist government, Pai is best known for his keen insight into the lives
of the aristocrats who retreated with the Nationalist government to Taiwan in 1949, when Chinese Communists took over mainland
China. His depiction of characters, according to many critics, has attained a level of literary achievement attained only
by a handful of his contemporaries. Some of his best-known works are available in English, under the title
Wandering in the Garden, Waking from a Dream: Tales of Taipei Characters, published by Indiana University Press in 1982.
Pai is a very studious and careful writer. His language, enriched by a solid foundation in Chinese classic literature, is
poetic and precise. Few people, however, realize how much time and effort he puts into crafting his works. The novel
Crystal Boy, published by the Gay Sunshine Press of San Francisco in 1990, was the result of ten years of hard work. It was completely
revised more than five times. In each revision Pai rewrote the entire work by hand. This process is clearly reflected in the
manuscripts which he has donated.
Crystal Boy and
Wandering in the Garden, as well as several other works, have been made into movies and plays and a number of his other works are in the process
of being adapted for stage and film productions. Pai Hsien-yung currently lives in Taiwan and still maintains a residence
in Santa Barbara where he occasionally visits. He continues to write and do research on a number of literary topics, his current
work being centered on the promotion of
kunqu, a traditional form of Chinese opera.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of Item], Pai Hsien-yung (Kenneth Pai) papers, UArch FacP 29. Department of Special Research Collections,
UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Scope and Content
The Pai Hsien-yung (Kenneth Pai) papers were donated by the author to the UCSB Department of Special Collections in 1997.
It includes an extensive assortment of printed works, literary manuscripts, and other material relating to his novels and
short stories as well as plays and films adapted from his work. In addition, the collection includes an assortment of academic
works, dissertations, journal articles, and papers centered on his works.
The collection is organized into the following series: Writings by Pai, Materials about Pai, Audio/Visual Materials, Posters,
and Correspondence.
Arrangement
These papers have been arranged into 5 series: I. Writings by Pai, II. Materials about Pai, III. Audio/Visual Materials, IV.
Posters, V. Correspondence.
General
Printed material- novels, short stories, and essays by Pai, as well as contributions to anthologies- from the collection has
been cataloged separately in Special Research Collections holdings, which includes copies of
Xian dai wen xue, the literary magazine. These materials may be searched on the UCSB Library's online catalog.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Chinese literature -- 20th century
Drafts (documents)
Correspondence
Photographs
Posters
Slides (photographs)
Videotapes
Bai, Xianyong, 1937- -- Archives
University of California, Santa Barbara. Faculty
Series I.
Writings by Pai
Scope and Contents note
The series includes manuscript drafts, written in Chinese and English, relating to
Crystal Boys, Taibei Ren, and other short stories.
Mss drafts in Chinese, 1997, 2014, and 2016
Scope and Contents note
More detailed notes and information on these drafts (in Chinese) may be found in each individual box; this information may
also be found in folder 1/- with the collection finding guide (Compiled by Peter Pang).
box 1, folder 1
Taibei Ren / 台北人:序 [Taipei People]
Scope and Contents
序(待鑒定)[Introduction]
之四:歲除 [Fourth: In addition to]
之五:梁父吟 [Fifth: Leung Father]
之六:金大班的最後一夜 [Sixth: The Last Night of Taipan Chin]
之七:那血一般紅的杜鵑花[Seventh: A Sea of Blood-red Azaleas]
之八:思舊賦 [Eight: Ode to Bygone Days]
之九 :滿天里亮晶晶的星星 [Ninth: Shining stars in the sky] Version 1
之九:滿天里亮晶晶的星星 [Ninth: Shining stars in the sky] Version 2
之十:孤戀花 [Tenth: Love's Lone Flower]
之四:歲除 [The Fourth: In addition to]
之五:梁父吟 [The Fifth: Leung Father]
之六:金大班的最後一夜 [The Sixth: The Last Night of Taipan Chin]
之七:那血一般紅的杜鵑花 [The Seventh: A Sea of Blood-Red Azaleas]
之八:思舊賦 [The Eight: Ode to Bygone Days]
之九 :滿天里亮晶晶的星星 [The Ninth: Shining stars in the sky], version one
之九:滿天里亮晶晶的星星 [The Ninth: Shining stars in the sky], version two
之十:孤戀花 [The Tenth: Love's Lone Flower]
之十:再生緣 [The Tenth: Recycled Edge], version one
之十:再生緣 [The Tenth: Recycled Edge], version two
之十:再生緣 [The Tenth: Recycled Edge], version three
之十一:花橋榮記 [The Eleventh: Huaqiao Rong Kee]
之十二:冬夜 [The Twelve: Winter Night]
之十三:秋思 [The Thirteenth: Autumn Reveries]
之十四:國葬 [The Fourteenth: State Funeral]
box 1, folder 3
Niu Yue Ke / 紐約客 [
The New Yorker]
之二: 謫仙怨 [The Second: Yu Xian Resentment]
box 1, folder 4
Zhong zhi chengcheng: "You yuan jing meng" de zhi zuo yu yan chu jing guo / 眾志成城:遊園驚夢的製作與演出經過 [In Union there's Strength:
The production and performance of "A Garden Dream and a Dream Interrupted"]
box 1, folder 5
Bu xin qing chun huan bu hui: xie zai "Xian wen yin yuan" chu ban zhi qian / 不信青春換不回:写在「現文因緣」出版之前 [Do not believe that you
cannot be replaced: Written before "Current Affairs"]
box 1, folder 6
Zhongguo ren de meng / 中國人的夢 [Chinese dream]
box 1, folder 7
Shi ji de piao bo zhe: Chong du "Sangqing yu Taohong" / 世紀的漂泊者:重讀桑清與桃紅 [Wanderer of the century: A rereading of "Mulberry
and Peach"]
box 1, folder 8
Cong wen xue fa zhan bi jiao hai xian liang an zhi yi tong / 從文學發展比較海峽兩岸之異同 [Comparing the similarities and differences between
the two sides of Taiwan Straits from the perspective of literary development]
box 1, folder 9
Shi tou cheng xia de ming si / 石頭成下的冥思 [Stone Meditation]
box 1, folder 10
"Xian dai wen xue" chuang li de shi dai bei jing ji qi jing shen feng mao: xie zai "Xian dai wen xue" chong kan zhi qian /
「現代文學」創立的時代背景及其精神風貌:寫在「現代文學」重刊之前 [The background and spirit of the creation of modern literature: Written before the re-publication
of "modern literature"]
box 1, folder 11
Bu xin qing chun huan bu hui: xie zai "Xian wen yin yuan" chu ban zhi qian / 不信青春換不回:写在「現文因緣」出版之前 [Banana, wind, coconut,
rain, earth paradise: Oh Singapore!]
box 1, folder 12
Guan li: Yin di yu er ya / 冠禮:隱地與爾雅 [Guan li: the Hidden and the Elegant]
box 1, folder 13
Di liu zhi shou zhi: ji nian san jie Xianming yi ji wo men the tong nian / 第六隻手指:紀念三姐先明以及我們的童年 [Sixth Fingers: In memory of
our childhood and the three sisters]
box 1, folder 14
Bei duan shang de ji liang: du Zhai zhicheng "qi lai a, Zhongguo de ji liang" you gan / 被斷傷的脊梁:讀翟志成「起來啊,中國的脊梁」有感 [The Backbone
of the Broken Wound: Reading Zhai Zhicheng "Rise, the Backbone of China"]
box 1, folder 15
You yuan jing meng / 遊園驚夢 [A Garden Dream and a Dream Interrupted]
box 3, folder 1
Nie Zi 孽子 [
Crystal Boys]
Scope and Contents
Also includes Nie Zi: Anle xiang 孽子:安樂鄉 and Nie Zi: Women de wangguo li / 孽子:我們的王國裡
box 3, folder 2-3
Nie Zi: Anle Xiang / 孽子:安樂鄉
box 3, folder 5-7
Nie Zi / 孽子 [
Crystal Boys]
box 3, folder 8
Nie Zi: Women de wangguo li / 孽子:我們的王國裡 [
Crystal Boys: "In Our Kingdom"]
box 3, folder 9-11
Nie Zi / 孽子 [
Crystal Boys]
box 3, folder 12
Nie Zi: Anle xiang / 孽子:安樂鄉 [
Crystal Boys: "Cockaigne"]
box 3, folder 13-15
Nie Zi / 孽子 [
Crystal Boys]
box 4, folder 1
Nie Zi / 孽子 初稿, first draft
box 4, folder 2
Nie Zi / 孽子 二稿, second draft
box 4, folder 3
Nie Zi / 孽子 終稿, final draft
box 5, folder 1
Zuihou yiye: Jinian xiejiaoxiao, yige re ai Zhongguo dianying de ren / 最後一夜:紀念謝家孝, 一個熱愛中國電影的人 [Last night: Commemorating
Shei Jiaxiao, a Man who loves Chinese movies]
box 5, folder 3
Jingbian-- ji Shanghai Kun Jutuan "Changsheng Dian" de yanchu / 驚變--記上海崑劇團"長生殿"的演出 [Surprise -- a performance of Shanghai
Kun Opera "The Palace of Eternal Life"]
box 5, folder 4
Shijimo zuida de tiaozhan--Aizibing (AIDS) dui renlei de xiji / 世紀末最大的挑戰--艾滋病(AIDS)對人類的襲擊 [The greatest challenge at the end
of the century -- AIDS]
box 5, folder 5
Hualian fengtu renwu zhi: Gao zhi quan de "Wang Zhenhe de xiaoshuo shijie" / 花蓮風土人物誌:高之全的"王禎和的小說世界" [Hualian locals: Gaozhi
Boxing "Wang and the world of fiction"]
Wandering in the garden, waking from a dream
Scope and Contents note
Typewritten drafts with author's, translator's and editor's corrections; includes related correspondence; alternate and working
titles; no ms copy of chapter entitled "A Sea of Bloodred Azaleas" in published English version; arranged in chapter order
(with exception noted above) of Wandering in the Garden, Waking from a Dream, (English version of Tabei ren).
box 6, folder 1
"The Eternal Snow Beauty"
box 6, folder 4
"The Final Night of Taipan Chin"
box 6, folder 5
"Lamentations for Bygone Days"
box 6, folder 8
"Glory's By Blossom Bridge"
box 6, folder 10
"A Sky Full of Blazing Stars"
box 6, folder 11
"Wandering in the Garden,Waking from the dream"
Series II.
Materials about Pai
Scope and Contents note
Including magazine and journal articles, reviews, essays and other writings about Pai's works
box-folder 7: 1 - 5
Theater/film productions
1979 - 1997
Abstract: [includes programs, reviews, magazine and press articles, some biographical, most in Chinese]
box 8-9
Works about Pai's works
Abstract: [theses, dissertations , journal articles, movie script]
box-folder 8: 1
"Short Story Cycle as a Genre: Tales of Taipei Characters and Dubliners" M.A. thesis by Chang Shuei-may,
1987
box-folder 8: 2
"Western Influence in the Works of Pai Hsien-yung," M.A. thesis by Susan McFadden, undated
box-folder 8: 3
"Crowded Hours" Revisited: the Evocation of the Past in Taipei Jen," article by Joseph S.M. Lau, undated
box-folder 8: 4
"Der Schriftsteller Pai Hsien-Yung im Spiegel Seiner Kurzgeschichte 'Staatsbergräbnis,' " M.A. thesis written by Alexander
Papenberg, undated
box-folder 8: 5
"On Pai Hsien-yung and His Fiction"; Dissertation (partial per note) written by Liu Jun,
1991
box-folder 8: 6
"Pai Hsien-yung and Yang Ch'ing-ch'u: Aspects of Taiwan Society as Reflected in the Works of Two Popular Writers," written
by Thomas B. Gold,
1974
Abstract: [seminar paper/thesis?]
box-folder 8: 7
Ku Lien Hua, film script, adaptation of Pai title of same name; directed by Lin Ch'ing-chieh, undated
box-folder 8: 8
Miscellaneous articles, interviews, reviews relating to Pai and his works
box-folder 8: 9
Articles about Pai
Abstract: [mostly English, some Chinese, one translation of Pai's work into German]
box-folder 8: 10
Magazine/newspaper articles
Abstract: [Reviews, articles about Pai in English, French German]
box 9
Press clippings
Abstract: Magazine/newspaper articles (with some biographical information and correspondence); one article by Pai in Chinese re. Pai
Ch'ung-hsi (Pai's father; see SC call# DS 777.488 P34 P35 1967 for bio of same.) and KMT war efforts vs. Japan.
Series III.
Audio/Visual Materials
box-folder 10: 1 - 6
Pai's works in various productions, 170 slides
Photographs
Scope and Contents note
Mostly related to filmed productions; labels for various productions
box-folder 11: 1
"Wandering in the Garden,Waking from a Dream," (play) 1982; August 7-14, Taipei Production (You yuan jing),
1982
box-folder 11: 2
"Wandering in the Garden,Waking from a Dream," (play), March 1988, Guangzhou; May 1988, Shanghai; December 1988, Hong Kong;
Guangzhou Production. (You yuan jing),
1988
Abstract: [111 items; 102 photographs; 9 slides]
box-folder 11: 3
"The Last Aristocrats," (scenes from the film),
1989
Abstract: Zui hou de guzi
Videos
Physical Description: 13 videos of film, theatrical productions of Pai's works, including two documentaries
reel V0870/VHS
(Gulian hua) Love's Lone Flower
reel V0871/BM
(Hudie meng) The Butterfly's Dream
reel V0872/VHS
(Jin daban de zuihou yiye) The Last Night of Taipan Chin
reel V0874/VHS
(Zuihou de guizu) The Last Aristocrat
reel V0880/VHS
(A) Sea of Blood-Red Azaleas
reel V0878/VHS
(The) Making of 'Wandering in the Garden, Waking from a Dream'
reel V0875/VHS
Crystal Boys
1997
Abstract: [Adams Chinese Theater Series, Harvard University]
reel V0876 /VHS
Goddess in Exile
Abstract: [Hong Kong TV movie]
reel V0879/VHS
Old Homes in Shanghai Revisited
1987
reel V0881/VHS
Wandering in the Garden, Waking from a Dream
play, 1982, Taipei; 1997 copy
box-folder not specified
Wandering in the Garden, Waking from a Dream
1987
Abstract: [play, 1988 Guangzhou production]
Series IV.
Posters
Scope and Contents note
related to productions of Pai's works [oversize map folder]
map-case 19: 11
Jin da ban de zui hou yi ye / The Last Night of Taipan Chin
map-case 19: 11
You yuan jing meng/Wandering in the Garden, Waking from a Dream
map-case 19: 11
"Peony Pavillion" poster, signed
map-case 19: 11
"Curator's Table Talks: Pai Hsien-Yung Manuscript Collection," event poster
2017 January 17
Series V.
Correspondence
Scope and Contents note
Includes letter (handwritten, in Chinese) to Pai from an acquaintance, dated 11/94, letter from Henry Miller (photocopy of
handwritten letter, dated 6/23/76), some miscellaneous correspondence
box-folder 8: 11
Letter to Pai (copy of handwritten letter) from Henry Miller
1976 June 23
box-folder 9: 3
Miscellaneous correspondence