The seven essays by Chen Pingyuan gathered in this collection are mainly focused on the evolution of the fictional genre during the transitional period of late Qing and May Fourth : the role played by periodicals, the relationship between elitist and popular literature, the link between modern fiction and tradition. In a broader perspective, they address the cultural changes that took place in these challenging times : the teaching of literature or arts at the old Beijing University, the place of the Dianshizhai pictorial between popular culture and Western modernity.
Through their approach, these essays show evidence of the transformations that occurred in China during the last 25 years in the field of research on modern Chinese literature and culture.
Chen Pingyuan, Professor at Peking University and chair professor at Hong Kong Chinese University. Renowned specialist of the literary and intellectual history of modern China, he is the author of about 30 monographs and collections of essays, including Zhongguo xiaoshuo xushi moshi de zhuanbian (La Transformation des modes narratifs dans le roman chinois), or Touches of History: An Entry into âMay Fourthâ China, translated by Michel Hockx.
Angel Pino, Professor at Bordeaux Montaigne University. He has published on modern and contemporary Chinese and Taiwanese authors, especially Ba Jin, and on the history of French Orientalism. He has translated into French numerous 20th century literary works.
Isabelle Rabut, Professor of Modern Chinese literature at INALCO. She has published on modern and contemporary Chinese and Taïwanese authors, especially Shen Congwen, the jingpai and haipai writers and Yu Hua. She has translated into French numerous 20th century literary works.