Discourse on Chinese Fantasy Fiction

Author: Zhu Ziqiang, He Weiqing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: This book uses Western children's literature as a reference dimension and employs a poetic and cultural perspective, along with close reading methods, to provide a detailed and thorough discussion of the historical evolution of Chinese fantasy novels. Subsequently, it conducts a relatively rigorous textual analysis of Chinese fantasy novels, focusing on several key issues such as "textual worlds," "romantic elements," "ecological awareness," and "cultural characteristics."
Fantasy novels have a natural affinity with children. Although, from the perspective of their origin and development, fantasy is not exclusively the domain of children's literature, it is undeniable that it has not only cultivated a large readership among children but has also attracted an increasing number of writers (regardless of whether they are children's literature writers) to create fantasy novels suitable for children to read. This seems quite understandable. From the perspective of the fantasy novel texts themselves, it is also easy to understand why they possess such a strong appeal to children.
Wonder and magic are everywhere, filled with heroic adventures, dangers that seem insurmountable, rules and order that transcend their boundaries, and the so-called logic—like an old hat, it can be worn crookedly or tossed into the wind. Laughter is also unique. All these elements, though children may not always recognize the reality they represent or metaphorize, are exciting fantasies for them. They always align, in some way or another, with children's modes of perception and cognition.