Learning Mandarin Chinese, especially outside of a Mandarin-speaking environment, presents unique challenges. While immersion in China offers unparalleled opportunities for speaking and listening practice, reading is a skill that can be honed anywhere with the right resources. For those seeking effective and engaging methods to enhance their Mandarin reading abilities, exploring novels offers a powerful solution. This article delves into the world of Mandarin novels and how they can be instrumental Books About Learning Mandarin, drawing from personal experiences and offering valuable insights for learners at all levels.
From Graded Readers to Literary Adventures
Initially, like many Mandarin learners, my reading journey began with graded readers and short articles. These resources served as a crucial foundation, helping to build basic vocabulary and grammatical understanding. To further enhance my reading comprehension, I embraced digital tools like LingQ. This platform allowed me to import digital versions of Chinese books and instantly look up unfamiliar words, significantly streamlining the reading process. This method proved far more efficient than traditional dictionary lookups, making reading a much more fluid and enjoyable experience. Using such tools opens up extensive reading possibilities even when encountering a considerable number of unknown words, typically around 10-15%.
Digital reading with LingQ for Mandarin Chinese, showing instant word lookup and vocabulary building for language learners.
My first foray into novel reading in Mandarin was a translated version of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. While a children’s novel, completing it marked a significant milestone. This success led me to explore other similar translations like The Little Prince and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. These experiences provided my first real immersion in long-form reading material designed for native speakers, rather than specifically for language learners. The constant exposure to new vocabulary and characters proved invaluable in rapidly expanding my vocabulary and improving character recognition skills, essential aspects of books about learning mandarin. Despite not being an avid reader in English, the benefits of novels for second language acquisition in Mandarin became undeniable after completing several stories.
Navigating the World of Authentic Chinese Novels
The next logical step was to venture into authentic Chinese novels, moving beyond translations. Seeking recommendations from online language experts and native speaker friends, I soon discovered a common pitfall: suggestions often proved unsuitable for my current reading level. Native speakers sometimes underestimate the challenges learners face, assuming material easy for them will be equally accessible to us. For instance, the highly acclaimed science fiction novel 三体 (The Three-Body Problem), described by one friend as “easy,” proved to be completely impenetrable. The first chapter alone was dense with weaponry vocabulary unfamiliar even in English. Next, I attempted 骆驼祥子 (Rickshaw Boy), a classic novel from 1939, recommended by polyglot Steve Kaufmann as his first Chinese book. However, the old Beijing dialect used in the novel presented an insurmountable obstacle. The sheer volume of archaic words and phrases made it impossible to follow the plot effectively.
Cover of “The Three Body Problem” (三体), a popular but challenging science fiction novel often recommended to Mandarin learners.
Finding the Right Fit: Breakthrough Novels
After these initial setbacks, I received a recommendation that proved transformative: 许三观卖血记 (Chronicles of a Blood Merchant) by Yu Hua, a celebrated contemporary Chinese author. This novel, depicting the life of a man selling blood to support his family during famine and the Cultural Revolution, captivated me. Yu Hua’s writing style is remarkably clear, and the narrative is deeply moving. The extensive dialogues within the novel utilize everyday vocabulary and phrases, making the language accessible and practical. The book vividly portrays life during those turbulent periods in China, including the harsh realities of the Cultural Revolution. Chronicles of a Blood Merchant proved to be an exceptional first authentic Chinese novel, so engrossing that I couldn’t put it down.
Inspired by this success, I sought similar material that could concurrently enhance my language skills and deepen my understanding of Chinese history and culture. This led me to 曹文轩 (Cao Wenxuan) and his novel 青铜葵花 (Bronze and Sunflower), also set during the Cultural Revolution. This story follows a young girl and her mute adopted brother as their impoverished family struggles in rural China. While Cao Wenxuan’s writing style is arguably slightly more complex than Yu Hua’s, incorporating more descriptive and poetic language, it remains highly rewarding. The novel balances more ornate passages with simpler dialogues, making it another excellent choice for intermediate learners seeking enriching books about learning mandarin.
Cover of “Bronze and Sunflower” (青铜葵花) by Cao Wenxuan, a novel set during the Cultural Revolution, suitable for Mandarin learners.
My third Chinese novel, 坏小孩 (The Gone Child) by 紫金陈 (Zi Jin Chen), marked a further progression in my reading journey. This thriller, about children who accidentally film a murder, is a genuine page-turner. By this point, my reading speed had noticeably increased, and I felt more comfortable reading purely for enjoyment. While some sections involving detective jargon presented challenges, the majority of the novel was quite accessible. Remarkably, there were extended periods where I completely forgot I was reading in a foreign language, a testament to the immersive power of well-chosen books about learning mandarin.
Reading and Listening: A Powerful Combination
Integrating listening practice with reading is crucial for any language learner, particularly those studying outside an immersive environment. The Gone Child has been adapted into a high-quality TV series, offering a fantastic opportunity to reinforce vocabulary learned through reading. While the series plot diverges somewhat from the novel, much of the vocabulary overlaps, solidifying language acquisition. For the other novels mentioned, I supplemented my reading with audiobook versions from the app 喜马拉雅 (Ximalaya). This excellent platform provides access to a vast library of audiobooks for a nominal subscription, further enhancing the learning experience.
Screenshot of the Ximalaya (喜马拉雅) audiobook app interface, a valuable resource for Mandarin Chinese language learners.
Reading for pleasure in Chinese has become an integral part of my language learning journey. I now dedicate more time to reading Chinese books than English ones, and while it remains more demanding than reading in my native tongue, it no longer feels like a chore. This practice has not only significantly improved my language skills but also deepened my understanding of Chinese history and culture. Currently, I am engrossed in another Yu Hua book, China in Ten Words, a collection of non-fiction essays providing insightful reflections on modern China. My reading list continues to grow, including Yu Hua’s renowned novel 活着 (To Live) and Cao Wenxuan’s Thatched House.
In conclusion, reading novels stands out as one of the most effective and enjoyable methods for intermediate learners to expand their vocabulary and enhance their Mandarin Chinese proficiency. With the abundance of digital resources available today, all learners should leverage this invaluable language hack for improving Mandarin reading skills through books about learning mandarin.
