Modern Chinese Stories

by W.J.F. Jenner, Gladys Yang (Translator)

One way of seeing modern China in human terms is through the short story, but few Chinese stories have been readily available to the English-reading public. The authors of the twenty pieces in this collection include peasant storytellers relating the heroic exploits of their rebel ancestors (reminiscent of the Robin Hood tradition) as well as writers whose work reflects the changing rural scene of the 190s and 1960s. There are also three stories by the great Lu Xun, one of the literary giants of the twentieth century. Themes range from the joys and sorrows of childhood to youth and love in a northern village to the wars that have made up much of modern Chinese history, and from quack doctors fleecing the rich in old Peking to the worries of a young accountant in a people's commune who has to deal with a crooked uncle.

The stories, written and published in Chinese over the last half-century, are here translated by W.J.F. Jenner and Gladys Yang. Mr. Jenner, who has lived and worked in China and is now Lecturer in Chinese Studies at the University of Leeds, provides notes on the authors and stories as well as an introduction and a note on pronunciation of names.

Contents:
Two Nian stories: Liu Eryuan / Gao Yuanxun
The flagpoles / Guo Tongde
Kong Yiji ; My old home ; The New-Year sacrifice / Lu Xun
Slaves' mother / Rou Shi
Double performance / Guo Moruo
On the boat / Mao Dun
A brilliant beginning / Lao She
Stealing lotuses / Ye Zi
Generosity / Zhang Tianyi
On the island / Ai Wu
Meng Xiangying stands up / Zhao Shuli
Huaiyiwan : a story of the North Shenzi guerrillas / Gao Langting
The blacksmith and the carpenter (first part) / Sun Li
Maple leave / He Guyan
The moon on a frosty morning / Fang Shumin
The iron inspector / Wang Xingyuan
Two modern storytellers' stories: The pauper's co-op / Tang Gengliang
Two ears of rice / Xu Daosheng and Chen Wencai

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970