A Companion to Modern Chinese Literature

This wide-ranging and balanced Companion provides a vital overview of modern Chinese literature in different geopolitical areas, including mainland China, Taiwan, and other Chinese speaking regions, from the 1840s to the present day. By reviewing major accomplishments of Chinese literary scholarship published in Chinese and English since the mid-twentieth century, this collaborative project brings attention to previously neglected areas such as late Qing literature, Sinophone literature, translated literature, ethnic minority literature, popular genres, and Internet writing. A Companion to Modern Chinese Literature surveys topics under four categories: history and geography, genre and types, cultures and media, and issues and debates. These provide a representation of the best interdisciplinary scholarship, offering a revaluation of key issues and moving the critical discussion forward. The international set of contributors, including leading scholars from mainland China and Hong Kong, bring insights from a broad range of disciplines covering Chinese studies, cultural studies, gender studies, literary studies, and media studies. The result is an improved understanding of the fast-developing field of modern Chinese literature as artistic projects, cultural institutions, social practices, ideological discourses, and scholarly endeavours.