Flavor

Author: Ouyang Qiansen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-10-01
Features: "King of Short Stories" requires some explanation. The short story writers included in the published or to-be-published series can be understood as those dedicated to short story writing; alternatively, in contemporary literary practices, the short story may be more refined and possess greater literary aesthetic significance. However, this does not mean that unpublished short story writers are not great writers. The publication of the "King of Short Stories" series aims to promote refined writing and reading. This idea originated from certain concerns about the current state of literature. Under the influence of market forces, consumer-oriented writing has become an undeniable fact as the mainstream of literature. This literature shaped by an invisible hand has not only stimulated the market demands of writers but has also subtly nurtured readers' crude literary tastes. This statement is certainly not just a resentful rejection or a simple critique. Rather, it indicates that a singular literary consumption concept has taken shape. Literature's indifference to spiritual matters and its enthusiasm for sensory realms seem to suggest that literature is gradually retreating from the aesthetic realm to be replaced by demands for pleasure. As long as one looks at the popular best-selling novels in recent years, this judgment will seem largely accurate.