History of Chinese Fiction

Author: Lu Xun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: This book is the lecture notes of the author's course on the History of Chinese Fiction at Peking University from 1920 to 1924. It was first published in December 1923 and June 1924, divided into two volumes, and distributed by the New Tide Society of Peking University. The original name of the lecture notes was A Brief Outline of the History of Chinese Fiction, which was later renamed A Short History of Chinese Fiction upon publication. In September 1925, Beishu Book Company combined the two volumes into one. An revised edition was published, and it was re-released in 1930 after another revision. The book consists of 28 chapters, starting from myths and legends and ending with the late Qing Dynasty's satirical fiction, narrating the evolution of ancient Chinese fiction. To speak of fiction is not necessarily to speak of the history of fiction, but only after reading the history of fiction can we accurately place each work. If you are a fiction writer, the history of fiction can tell you where to start writing and which ideas have already been explored by predecessors. If you are a fiction reader, the history of fiction can tell you the position and value of the book in hand. If neither applies, please open this book in the name of "Lu Xun." The name "Lu Xun" alone is invaluable.
Recommended for the following readers:
- All fans of Lu Xun
- All detractors of Lu Xun
- Undergraduates and graduate students
- Researchers or general cadres
- Parents who hope their children succeed
This book narrates the process of the emergence, development, and evolution of ancient Chinese fiction, making it the first comprehensive history of Chinese fiction. It examines various types of fiction and their development within the social conditions of their time, outlining a clear "line of progress" spanning thousands of years of Chinese fiction. To write this book, the author compiled 36 ancient fictions from the Han to the Sui dynasties, collected historical materials of 41 fictions from the Song to the late Qing Dynasty, and referenced over 70 works written by people from the Ming and Qing dynasties. With concise and profound writing and a fair and balanced attitude, the book evaluates the thought and art of fiction from ancient times to the present. Many of its insights remain guiding opinions in the study of classical Chinese fiction to this day. This book represents the highest level of research on the history of Chinese fiction at that time.