.
1897, his wife died,and he engaged himself in translating
Western works.
AfterDumas's wards,Lin undertook the translation of Alexandre La Dame aux Camélias. (known as 巴黎茶花女遗 事in Chinese) This book was published in 1899 and was an immediate success.
to my mind a better writer. All the overelaboration, the
overstatement and uncurbed garrulity disappear. The humor is
there, but is transmuted by a precise, economical style; every point that Dickens spoils by uncontrolled exuberance, Lin Shu makes quietly and efficiently. ” —Arthur Waley
Lin himself describes how he worked on his translations: I have no foreign languages. I cannot pass for a translator without the aid of several gentlemen, who interpret the texts for me. They interpret, and I write down what they interpret. They stop, and I put down my pen. 6,000 words can be produced after a mere four hours' labour.I am most fortunate to have my error-plagued, rough translations kindly accepted by the learned.