Research on the Types of Non-realistic Fiction in the Tang Dynasty

Author: Li Pengfei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: The basic viewpoints of this book, as well as its specific textual analyses, are able to break free from imitation and rarely follow the footsteps of predecessors. Another important reason is that the author traces the origins of the three types of Tang Dynasty legends in a long-term manner. Not only does it trace back to the fiction of the Han, Wei, and Six Dynasties periods, but many of its expressive techniques are traced back even further to the pre-Qin era. Chinese fiction has gone through a long period of incubation, gradually evolving from notes and in an unconscious process. Before entering the stage of conscious creation, it absorbed various ideological concepts and expressive methods from various other literary genres since the pre-Qin period. Its origins are diverse, and the threads are numerous; without great patience, it is difficult to explore them clearly. The author of this book has not limited themselves to reading fiction genres but has broadened their perspective to include the works of the Hundred Schools of Thought, historical chronicles, poetry, prose, parallel prose, and even limericks—all materials related to this genre. Based on an astonishing amount of reading, the author extensively explores and clearly summarizes the development process of the three types, thereby proposing many important original insights.