A Comprehensive History of Shanghai Literature (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Qiu Mingzheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-28
Features: A few years ago, we prepared to write this Comprehensive History of Shanghai Literature. After extensively collecting materials, careful writing, multiple discussions, and several revisions, we have finally completed it! Shanghai literature has its own characteristics and a glorious yet history. In a specific sense, Shanghai literature, especially modern and contemporary literature, can be considered a microcosm of Chinese literature. In the past, the Literature Institute of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences had published History of Modern Shanghai Literature, edited by Chen Bohai and Yuan Jin, and History of Modern Shanghai Literature, edited by Wang Wenying. Due to deepened understanding and the vast scope for rewriting, there has been room for a new approach. As for contemporary Shanghai literature, although numerous articles on specialized research and critiques of Shanghai writers and works have been published in newspapers and magazines, there has yet to be a History of Contemporary Shanghai Literature. And when it comes to ancient Shanghai literature, even fewer people have paid attention to it, let alone whether there was ancient literature in Shanghai or whether it could be considered a "history."
Every nation, ethnic group, or region has its own literary development process, with unique characteristics and trajectories. It does not suddenly emerge or disappear in a particular period, and Shanghai literature is no exception. The prosperity and development of modern and contemporary Shanghai literature are both a continuation and transformation of ancient Shanghai literature, while contemporary Shanghai literature is a continuation and development of modern and contemporary Shanghai literature. Through extensive research and meticulous analysis, we discovered that ancient Shanghai not only had literature but also a rich and distinctive tradition, though it had been overlooked or forgotten! As for contemporary Shanghai literature, it is even more diverse and holds a significant position in the national literary landscape, having traversed a tortuous path.
We have also made new discoveries and presented new perspectives on modern and modern Shanghai literature. Therefore, we decided to write a Comprehensive History of Shanghai Literature to systematically trace the development of Shanghai literature from ancient to contemporary times, explore the reasons behind its evolution, and grasp its characteristics in different periods, as well as its role and significance in Chinese literature. The aim is to study the laws of literary development, creation, criticism, appreciation, and the transformation of literary mechanisms, to summarize experiences and lessons, and to provide a historical mirror for the prosperity and development of literature in the new century and the deepening of literary research.
The historical development of Shanghai literature is synchronized with the development of Chinese society, culture, and literature, as well as the growth of the Shanghai city itself. Therefore, this Comprehensive History of Shanghai Literature is divided into four parts—History of Ancient Shanghai Literature, History of Modern Shanghai Literature, History of Modern Shanghai Literature, and History of Contemporary Shanghai Literature, following tradition. Experts specializing in the history of Chinese literature and Shanghai literature from the Literature Institute of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Shanghai University, the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Shanghai Normal University, and the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Fudan University and Nanjing University have been invited to contribute to this book.
History of Ancient Shanghai Literature was written by Xia Xianchun and Sun Qian'an, senior researchers at the Literature Institute of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. They have devoted great effort to uncovering original materials, discussing important writers and works, and systematically organizing the development of ancient Shanghai literature. It is the most comprehensive History of Ancient Shanghai Literature to date.
History of Modern Shanghai Literature was written by Yuan Jin, a professor at the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Shanghai University. He is a renowned scholar in the study of modern Chinese literature and has previously edited History of Modern Shanghai Literature. In this individual effort, he has reorganized and reinterpreted modern Shanghai literature, demonstrating advancements beyond his previous research.
History of Modern Shanghai Literature was written by Wang Wenying, a researcher at the Literature Institute of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, with contributions from Professor Zhu Shoutong of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Nanjing University and Meng Jinrong, a promising scholar at the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Fudan University. Wang Wenying is an expert in modern Chinese literature and has previously edited History of Modern Shanghai Literature. Her latest work presents new insights that surpass her earlier research.
History of Contemporary Shanghai Literature was written by Yang Jianlong, a professor at the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Shanghai University, and Dai Yi, a researcher at the Literature Institute of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. Both are experts in contemporary Chinese literature. Their analysis of the development of contemporary Shanghai literature, particularly of important writers and works, showcases their academic expertise.
Professor Qiu Mingzheng of the Literature Institute of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences was responsible for the overall planning, outline drafting, and final editing of the book, as well as writing the preface and postscript. During the project's establishment, writing, and publication, we received support and guidance from the Shanghai Municipal Philosophy and Social Sciences Planning Office and the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. We are also grateful to Professor Li Zhensheng of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Fudan University, as well as many colleagues from the Literature Institute of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, such as Wang Zhousheng and Huang Jiangping, for their assistance. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Fudan University Press for their strong support and to many friends in the Shanghai literary criticism circle for their warm care.