Lu Xun stands as a towering figure in modern Chinese literature, celebrated for his profound contributions as a novelist, essayist, critic, and poet. He masterfully employed both vernacular and classical Chinese, carving a unique niche in the literary landscape. Beyond his own writing, his influence extended to editing and translation, significantly enriching the Chinese literary scene. Lu Xun emerged as a leading voice and icon within the left-wing writers' movement of his era.
Lu Xun (Lu Hsun) is arguably the greatest writer of modern China, and is considered by many to be the founder of modern Chinese literature. This book presents translations of Lu Xun's stories, including The Real Story of Ah-Q', Diary of a Madman, A Comedy of Ducks, The Divorce and A Public Example, among others.
Lu Xun is famous for his short stories, among other writings. This collection contains 13 of his stories, including: A Madman's Diary; Medicine; Storm in a Teacup; My Old Home; Village Opera; A Happy Family; The Misanthrope; Regret for the Past; and Forging the Swords.
This book explores three new topics in modern Chinese literary history: the intimate relationship between Lu Xun and Xu Guangping, the role of real and imagined love letters in modern Chinese literature, and the concept of privacy in China. Their scandalous affair is unveiled through letters exchanged from 1925 to 1929. The 1933 publication of these letters, heavily edited, aimed to capitalize on the trend of literary couples sharing their correspondence while also seeking to control their narrative amidst public gossip. Part I, based on unedited letters, uncovers previously overlooked details, such as Xu Guangping's early lesbian tendencies, gender role reversals, her suicide attempts, and Lu Xun's efforts to downplay her political activism. Part II examines Lu Xun's decision to publish the edited letters within the context of contemporary Chinese epistolary fiction. Part III offers unique insights into privacy in modern China by comparing the unedited and edited letters. The textual evidence reveals their intimate secrets, fears of gossip, desire for privacy, and complex views on the tension between public duty and personal interests. This study challenges the notion that Chinese culture lacks a sense of privacy, highlighting its significance in the early twentieth century.
Set against the backdrop of early 20th century China, this influential short story critiques societal norms through the voice of a madman. Written in vernacular Chinese, it played a pivotal role in the New Culture Movement and established a revolutionary literary style. Lu Xun's work challenges traditional beliefs and reflects the tumultuous changes of the time, making it a cornerstone of modern Chinese literature.
Lu Xun was China's greatest literary modernist and a key thinker of the early twentieth century. This new translation assembles some of Lu Xun's essays and experimental writings little known to English readers-works of profound imagination that seek to find beauty and meaning in an unjust world.
