Thirteen Lessons for Novelists

Author: Wang Anyi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: What is a novel? A novel is not reality; it is the personal world of the mind. This world has its own laws, principles, origins, and destinations. However, the materials used to construct this mental world are drawn from the real world we depend on. The value of a novel lies in opening up a divine realm for humanity. The interesting aspect of this book is that it was formed in a university classroom. "The Thirteen Lessons of a Novelist" does not refer to "the thirteen lessons one must take to become a novelist" or "the thirteen lessons a novelist must attend." Instead, it refers to the course given by writer Wang Anyi at Fudan University in Shanghai, where she was invited as a visiting scholar. The book was compiled from the lecture materials of this course. For university literary education, it provides an opportunity for the collision of academic literary theory and the practical experience of a novelist. On the other hand, through the classroom lectures, the creative philosophy and educational philosophy of the novelist are also highlighted. Inviting writers to speak at universities is a practice that is particularly prominent in the West, such as the "Norton Lectures," where works like Calvino's Memoirs of the Future and Eco's The Open Library have already been translated into Chinese. However, the selection process for the "Norton Lectures" fundamentally involves a high degree of respect and recognition for the writer, which is why the lecture topics often include professors who study literature. This leads to the speakers being very cautious in their presentations, even actively stating their insights and developing new theories about the novel. As a result, these lecture compilations often contain abstract creative philosophies and theories. In contrast, the course Wang Anyi taught at Fudan University appears quite enriching and practical for university students, even serving as an introductory book for aspiring creators or novel enthusiasts. On one hand, her language is very fluid, and the entire course is almost like "telling stories." While students listen to the stories, they also subconsciously learn storytelling techniques. On the other hand, these novels, through her interpretation and analysis, become nourishment for creativity, and even influence her creative attitude and perspectives. Students can clearly see the writer's interpretation of literature and the world, as well as her dedication and enthusiasm for teaching. In these thirteen lessons, Wang Anyi explains several key points, such as: all great novels are great myths, novels have their own logic, and in the independent mental world of a novel, the author must use his rationality to create works that do not harmonize with the emotions of the crowd. Most of these points are derived from existing literary theories, particularly the creative perspectives of realistic novels. In contrast, the analysis of Gabriel García Márquez's magical realism novel One Hundred Years of Solitude is not as brilliant or insightful as the other works. From this, readers can easily see the author's preferences and strengths. As a student who "takes lessons" through reading, I believe this course has qualities that attract students. Analyzing literary works from the perspective of a writer must differ from interpreting them based on the theoretical foundations of a university professor. Wang Anyi's grasp of the novel and her focus on creativity are inseparable. In her vivid storytelling, the novelist's identity and practical experience become a source of analysis in the classroom, and the speaker's rich creative experience is knowledge that cannot be given or taught by academic theory.