A History of Modern Chinese Fiction: Third Edition [Paperback]

C. T. Hsia (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 22, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0253213118 | ISBN-13: 978-0253213112 | Edition: Third Edition

"The great virtue of this book is that it provides a practical acquaintance with the writing itself by means of copious passages of translation from representative novels." —New York Times Book Review

"C. T. Hsia's book is by now an acknowledged classic. It truly opened up a new field and prepared the way for generations of American scholars to do research. We are all in his debt." —Leo Lee

This pioneering, classic study of 20th-century Chinese fiction covers some sixty years, from the Literary Revolution of 1917 through the Cultural Revolution of 1966-76.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The great virtue of this book is that it provides a practical acquaintance with the writing itself by means of copious passages of translation from representative novels." - New York Times Book Review "C. T. Hsia's book is by now an acknowledged classic. It truly opened up a new field and prepared the way for generations of American scholars to do research. We are all in his debt." - Leo Lee

About the Author

C. T. Hsia is the author of several important books on Chinese literature. He has been widely influential among Chinese readers and has influenced two generations of English-speaking scholars. He retired from teaching in 1991 and is Professor Emeritus of Chinese at Columbia University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 736 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press; Third Edition edition (November 22, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253213118
• ISBN-13: 978-0253213112
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,281 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Chinese
  • #71 in Books > Literature & Fiction > History & Criticism > Asian

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not influence by negative review about C.T. Hsia, January 31, 2007

By 

Isaac Ho (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A History of Modern Chinese Fiction: Third Edition (Paperback)

I'm of Chinese descent, though I'm now a bona fide Canadian. I have read many classical books about China which are translated into English. I have also read the modern classics, for instance:- The Naked Earth and The Rice Sprout Song by Eileen Chang. Incidentally, the late Ms. Eileen Chang was the grand daughter of the reknown Chinese official named Lee Hung Chang who was once a grand Viceroy of Manchu China (1644-1912). He was nearly assassinated by a Japanese extremist while Viceroy Lee was in Imperial Japan to sign a peace accord. I have had read Prof. C. T. Hsia's definitive analysis, entitled: THE CHINESE NOVEL - a learned review of six classic novels - namely:- Romance of the Three Kingdoms; 108 heroes of the Marshes; Journey to the West; Chin Ping Mei (Golden Lotus); The Scholars; and Dream of the Red Chamber (Hung Lou Meng).

Undoubtedly, Prof. C.T. Hsia present book: HISTORY OF MODERN CHINESE FICTION will be interesting to read, since I have just ordered a copy.

His comments are always based on what he has critically read and I am pretty sure that he has no intention, as alleged, to be biased, rude, insulting nor mocking the authors of modern China. Hsia is Chinese and therefore he don't mean to mock or disgrace those authors under his critical review. These, I am pretty sure. Once a Chinese always a Chinese at heart... Need I say more???

PS: In passing, I have also read works by Ba Jin like: The Family, Spring, and Autumn. My other reading includes Lu Hsun and Mao Tun who wrote the Silk Spring Worm. These are some of the authors reviewed by Prof. C. T. Hsia.

1 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Original but bias, May 19, 2003

By 

"knutthevikingking" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of Modern Chinese Fiction: Third Edition (Library Binding)

When I was in China, I read a review on this book, saying
C. T. Hsia was funded by C.I.A when writting this book.
"the book is bias and full of hatry to Communist China" the
reviewer said, "that is why this book is banned in China".

I was so curious that the first book I checked out from a U.S.A
library was this one. I am disappointed since Hsia is really
bias and sometimes paranoia.

He really did not understand the huge difficulty all Chinese
writers faced in the past 100 years. And sometimes I really
doubt whether he is a Chinese at all? When he sat there laughing
at Communist writers, did he realize those were of the same
origin of his parents and himself?

In this sense, this book is just common, not great, since it
is lack of love and forgiveness, the basic elements of all great
works.

1 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars original but bias, May 19, 2003

By 

"knutthevikingking" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of Modern Chinese Fiction: Third Edition (Library Binding)

Reviewer: fjord from Portland, OR United States
When I was in China, I read a review on this book, saying
C. T. Hsia was funded by C.I.A when writting this book.
"the book is bias and full of hatry to Communist China" the
reviewer said, "that is why this book is banned in China".
I was so curious that the first book I checked out from a U.S.A
library was this one. I am disappointed since Hsia is really
bias and sometimes paranoia.

He really did not understand the huge difficulty all Chinese
writers faced in the past 100 years. And sometimes I really
doubt whether he is a Chinese at all? When he sat there laughing
at Communist writers, did he realize those were of the same
origin of his parents and himself?

In this sense, this book is just common, not great, since it
is lack of love and forgiveness, the basic elements of all great
works.