20th Century Classics of Foreign Short Stories

Author: Zhou Qichao, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: One of the major highlights in the artistic landscape of 20th-century world short fiction is the triumvirate of France, Russia, and the United States. Examining the development of the short story over the past century, whether in terms of creative prowess or achievements, France, Russia, and the United States undoubtedly stand out as the three most prominent forces, forming the formidable trio on the short story artistic stage. On the French literary scene of the 20th century, the artistic exploration of the short story remained vibrant and diverse. Prominent short story masters like Moravia, Emmerich, and Bruneau emerged, vividly portraying the complexities of human nature, while works by Sartre and Camus, with their unique philosophical depth, served as wake-up calls to the readers' minds. There were also writers who deliberately broke away from modernist techniques, imitating the classical tradition with concise plots, clear language, and the distinctive subtlety of a woman's touch, crafting beloved short story masterpieces that won the hearts of readers, such as Fran?oise Sagan. Additionally, there were daring innovators who embraced avant-garde experiments, transforming the traditional short story into sketches, lenses, or images—the pioneers of the "New Novel" movement, like Robbe-Grillet.
Among them, Moravia, Emmerich, and Bruneau, as masters of the short story, made exceptionally significant contributions to the continuation and flourishing of the short story's artistic life on the French literary stage of the 20th century. Their persistent cultivation in the garden of the short story, spanning different eras, seems to have formed three major waystations on the artistic journey of 20th-century French short fiction. Their profound mastery of the art of the short story can be considered the cornerstone that enabled French short fiction to maintain its world-leading status in the 20th century.