Philosophical fiction

Author: Li Xiangping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-07-01
Features: Short stories originate from the myths and legends of ancient people, a literary genre with a long history. However, it was not until the 19th century that it was clearly distinguished from the novel and gave rise to a generation of master short story writers such as Chekhov, Maupassant, and Mark Twain. Since the 20th century, with the development of modern society and the acceleration of the pace of life, short stories have flourished, and their themes have become greatly enriched. As we approach the 21st century, it can be predicted that short stories will be favored in all literary genres. May this book enter thousands of households and become a friend in the lives of readers and a companion to their spirits. The works selected in this book range from the Renaissance in the 14th century to the mid-20th century of this century, spanning over 700 years. Geographically, they cover almost all major continents, from the West to the East, from Europe to Latin America. Although they cannot fully represent the face of world philosophical fiction, they may still reveal the extraordinary wisdom of human storytelling. These works are first and foremost genuine novels, and only secondarily do they possess a "philosophical" essence, which distinguishes them from other artistic forms of fiction—such as fables, moralistic tales, and the like. Reading them, you may find them tedious and monotonous. However, the noble melancholy and anger expressed by Tolstoy through a life episode stand in stark contrast to the wealthy yet indifferent human environment he was in, and they still move people to this day. Concealing philosophy subtly within symbolic artistic images is highly artistic.