Appreciation of Ancient Chinese Novels

Author: Du Yingjie
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: Ancient Chinese fiction has a long history. Mythological tales, fables, philosophical prose, and historical records all contain elements of fiction to varying degrees. The concept of fiction has undergone a continuous process of deepening. The term "fiction" first appears in the Miscellaneous Pieces section of the Zhuangzi (Outer Things): "Adorn fiction to seek high office, but it is far from the way of great wisdom." By contrasting "fiction" with "great wisdom," it refers to trivial talk and minor principles unrelated to governing the state. The literary fiction we refer to today is entirely different from the meaning of "fiction" as described in the Zhuangzi, but the term "fiction" has been used ever since. The origin, emergence, and development of fiction preceded the establishment of its concept. For example, the transmission of mythological stories—when oral legends were recorded, they became tales with a strong sense of fiction, also known as primitive forms of fiction. This book includes works such as Jingwei Filling the Sea, Yugong Moving the Mountains, Nuwa Mending the Sky, Song Dingbo Catching Ghosts, Zhou Chu, Liu Yi's Tale, Liwa's Tale, and Huo Xiaoyu's Tale.