Souvenirs Entomologiques/昆虫记

<p>With illustrations by the painter whose works are collected by the British Museum.</p><p>作品收录大英博物馆的画家绘制插图</p><p></p><p>This edition of Souvenirs Entomologiques is particularly special because it was compiled by a children's literature writer contemporary to Fabre resulting in exceptionally smooth reading and seamless storytelling. The illustrations were drawn by a painter whose works are housed in the British Museum. This edition also features newly revised scientific names of insects ensuring that readers can verify the existence of each insect.</p><p></p><p>Translated by Mr. Wang Dawen this version of Souvenirs Entomologiques is the classic original translation that many recognize from its inclusion in textbook editions such as those used in the People's Education Press and Shanghai Educational Publishing Press. Those moving excerpts that have touched countless students originate from here-specifically from the third chapter of this edition The Cicada. Let us revisit this classic passage together:</p><p>Four years of hard labor in the darkness followed by one month of pleasure in the sunlight-such is the life of the cicada. We ought not to resent its boisterous songs of triumph for it has dug in the soil for four years and now suddenly it has put on splendid garments grown wings rivaling those of birds and bathed in the warmth of the sunlight. What kind of cymbals could sound loud enough to celebrate the hard-worn joy of that fleeting moment?</p><p>这一版《昆虫记》的特别之处在于，它是由法布尔同时代的儿童文学作家选编成书，阅读顺畅感、故事衔接的都非常棒。书里的插图还是由作品被收录在大英博物馆的画家绘制的。这一次编校也全新订正了昆虫学名，让读者查有此虫。</p><p>由王大文先生翻译的这一版《昆虫记》，就是很多人印象中入选人教版、沪教版课文的经典原版译本，那些曾打动无数学子的片段就出自此处，出自这一版的第三章《蝉》。让我们来一起回味这一经典片段：</p><p>四年黑暗中的苦工，一个月日光下的享乐，这就是蝉的生活。我们不应当讨厌它那喧嚣的凯歌，因为它掘土四年，现在才忽然穿起漂亮的衣服，长起可与飞鸟匹敌的翅膀，沐浴在温暖的日光中。什么样的钹声才能响亮到足以歌颂它那得来不易的刹那欢愉呢？</p>