Modern Chinese Literature and Authors by List

Chinese literature has been around for thousands of years. It started with basic writings like inscriptions and records from the courts and then evolved into more important works about philosophy and history. Different periods in history, like the Han and Tang dynasties, were known for their poetry.

The Song and Yuan dynasties were famous for their various literary forms such as lyrics, essays, dramas, and plays. As time went on, novels written in everyday Chinese language became more popular, especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties. This was a shift from the use of Literary Chinese. The invention of woodblock printing and movable type printing helped spread written knowledge across China. In the 20th century, Lu Xun became a well-known writer who used everyday Chinese language in his works, making them more accessible to the general public.

We have curated the list of modern Chinese literature and authors in table below.

List of Modern Chinese Literature and Authors

Modern Chinese literature refers to literary works produced in China from the late 19th century onwards. During this period, China underwent significant political, social, and cultural changes which influenced its literature. Some prominent authors and their notable works include:

Names	Notable Works
Lu Xun (1881–1936)	“The True Story of Ah Q,” “Diary of a Madman,” “A Call to Arms.”
Ba Jin (1904–2005)	“The Family,” “Spring,” “Autumn.”
Mo Yan (1955–Present)	“Red Sorghum,” “Big Breasts and Wide Hips,” “Frog.”
Yu Hua (1960–Present)	“To Live,” “Chronicle of a Blood Merchant,” “Brothers.”
Yan Lianke (1958–Present)	“Serve the People,” “Lenin’s Kisses,” “The Day the Sun Died.”
Han Han (1982–Present)	“Triple Door,” “This Generation.”
Eileen Chang (1920–1995)	“Love in a Fallen City,” “Lust, Caution,” “The Rice Sprout Song.”
Liang Xiaosheng (1949–Present)	“The Tiananmen,” “White Deer Plain,” “The Plough Department of Song Dynasty.”
Jin Yong (1924–2018)	“Legends of the Condor Heroes,” “The Deer and the Cauldron,” “The Book and the Sword.”
Wang Anyi (1954–Present)	“The Song of Everlasting Sorrow,” “Love in a Small Town,” “Brocade Valley.”

Modern Chinese Literature and Authors History

New Culture Movement and the Rise of Literary Reform

The early 20th century witnessed the emergence of the New Culture Movement, a cultural and intellectual awakening that sought to modernize Chinese society and break free from traditional Confucian values. Writers such as Lu Xun and Ba Jin played pivotal roles in this movement, advocating for literary reform and using their works to critique social injustice and political oppression. Lu Xun’s seminal essays and short stories, including “A Madman’s Diary” and “The True Story of Ah Q,” laid the groundwork for modern Chinese literature by introducing vernacular language and addressing pressing social issues.

Socialist Realist Era and Revolutionary Literature

Following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the Communist Party imposed strict ideological controls on literature, promoting socialist realism as the dominant literary form. Writers were expected to produce works that glorified the party’s achievements and promoted socialist values. Figures like Mao Dun and Ding Ling adhered to these guidelines, producing novels and stories that depicted the struggles of the proletariat and celebrated the triumph of communism. However, the limitations of socialist realism stifled artistic creativity and led to a period of stagnation in Chinese literature.

The Post-Mao Era and Literary Renaissance

The death of Mao Zedong in 1976 and the subsequent economic reforms under Deng Xiaoping ushered in a new era of cultural openness and artistic experimentation. Figures such as Mo Yan, Yu Hua, and Can Xue emerged as leading figures in this literary renaissance, challenging conventional norms and pushing the boundaries of creative expression. Mo Yan’s novel “Red Sorghum” and Yu Hua’s “To Live” are widely regarded as masterpieces of contemporary Chinese literature, blending elements of magical realism, social satire, and historical allegory.

Contemporary Trends and Global Recognition

In recent years, modern Chinese literature has gained international acclaim, with authors like Yan Lianke, Yan Ge, and Han Han receiving widespread recognition for their works. Themes such as globalization, urbanization, and the impact of technology on society.

Lu Xun (1881–1936)

Notable Works: Lu Xun is often regarded as the father of modern Chinese literature. His works are known for their stark realism and critical portrayal of Chinese society. “The True Story of Ah Q” is a satirical novella that critiques the social and political conditions of early 20th-century China. “Diary of a Madman” is another famous work that depicts themes of madness and societal hypocrisy. “A Call to Arms” is a collection of short stories that reflect Lu Xun’s disillusionment with traditional Chinese values and his call for social reform.

Ba Jin (1904–2005)

Notable Works: Ba Jin, whose real name is Li Yaotang, is known for his literary contributions to the New Culture Movement. “The Family” is a trilogy of novels that depicts the decline of a wealthy feudal family and the clash between traditional values and modern ideals. “Spring” and “Autumn” are also part of this trilogy and continue to be widely studied for their exploration of individual freedom and social change.

Mo Yan (1955–Present)

Notable Works: Mo Yan, whose real name is Guan Moye, won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2012 for his imaginative and incisive writing style. “Red Sorghum” is one of his most famous works, set during the Sino-Japanese War and themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience. “Big Breasts and Wide Hips” is a multi-generational saga that spans the tumultuous history of 20th-century China. “Frog” delves into the controversial topic of China’s one-child policy.

Yu Hua (1960–Present)

Notable Works: Yu Hua is known for his darkly humorous and socially conscious novels. “To Live” follows the life of a Chinese peasant through the turbulent events of the 20th century, including the Cultural Revolution and its aftermath. “Chronicle of a Blood Merchant” the impact of political and social upheaval on ordinary people’s lives. “Brothers” is a sprawling epic that traces the intertwined destinies of two stepbrothers against the backdrop of China’s rapid modernization.

Yan Lianke (1958–Present)

Notable Works: Yan Lianke is celebrated for his bold and provocative storytelling that tackles taboo subjects and challenges conventional norms. “Serve the People” is a satirical novel that skewers the excesses of China’s Cultural Revolution. “Lenin’s Kisses” is a surreal tale set in a rural village where a group of elderly peasants is tasked with caring for a statue of Lenin. “The Day the Sun Died” is a haunting exploration of collective guilt and moral decay in contemporary China.

Han Han (1982–Present)

Notable Works: Han Han is a contemporary author, blogger, and race car driver known for his sharp wit and critique of Chinese society. “Triple Door” is a collection of essays that reflects on issues such as modernization, youth culture and the pressures of conforming to societal norms. “This Generation” is a novel that follows the lives of young people navigating the complexities of love, ambition and disillusionment in modern China.

Eileen Chang (1920–1995)

Notable Works: Eileen Chang is revered as one of the greatest modern Chinese writers, known for her exquisite prose and insightful exploration of human relationships. “Love in a Fallen City” is a collection of short stories that captures the nuances of love and longing against the backdrop of wartime Shanghai. “Lust, Caution” is a novella that delves into themes of espionage, betrayal, and desire during the Japanese occupation of China.

Liang Xiaosheng (1949–Present)

Notable Works: Liang Xiaosheng is a prolific novelist known for his epic historical sagas that span generations and dynasties. “The Tiananmen” is a sweeping novel that chronicles the lives of ordinary people caught up in the events leading up to the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. “White Deer Plain” is a sprawling epic set in rural Shaanxi province, exploring themes of love, betrayal and social change over several decades. “The Plough Department of Song Dynasty” is a historical novel that follows the fortunes of a group of farmers during the Song Dynasty.

Jin Yong (1924–2018)

Notable Works: Jin Yong, also known as Louis Cha, is a legendary figure in Chinese literature, revered for his wuxia (martial arts) novels that have captivated readers for generations. “Legends of the Condor Heroes” is a classic wuxia series that follows the adventures of martial arts heroes in ancient China. “The Deer and the Cauldron” is a humorous and action-packed tale set during the Qing Dynasty, featuring a charismatic and cunning protagonist. “The Book and the Sword” is another beloved wuxia novel that combines intrigue, romance, and martial arts prowess.

Wang Anyi (1954–Present)

Notable Works: Wang Anyi is a contemporary novelist known for her lyrical prose and vivid portrayal of everyday life in China. “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow” is a sweeping novel that spans the tumultuous events of 20th-century China, weaving together the stories of three generations of women against the backdrop of Shanghai’s transformation. “Love in a Small Town” depicts themes of nostalgia and lost innocence through the interconnected lives of residents in a provincial Chinese town.

Conclusion

Modern Chinese literature is a fascinating journey through the minds and hearts of Chinese writers, telling stories that reflect the complexities of their society. They write about many things like history, love, and life. These stories help us understand China and its people better. It provides insights into the culture, society, and values of China, making it an important part of global literature.

Modern Chinese Literature and Authors – FAQs

Who is the famous modern Chinese writer?

One of the most famous modern Chinese writers is Mo Yan. He is known for his works such as “Red Sorghum,” which won the prestigious Mao Dun Literature Prize in 1987, and “Big Breasts and Wide Hips.” Mo Yan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2012 for his “hallucinatory realism” which merges folk tales, history and the contemporary.

What is modern Chinese literature?

Modern Chinese literature is often thought to have emerged during the May Fourth New Culture movement, which took place from 1915 to 1925. This movement criticized the traditional Confucian values and aimed to adopt Western-inspired intellectual and literary ideas instead.

Who are some notable authors of Modern Chinese Literature?

Some notable authors of Modern Chinese Literature include Lu Xun, Ba Jin, Eileen Chang, Mo Yan, Yu Hua, and Ha Jin. These authors have made significant contributions to Chinese literature and have gained international recognition for their works.

What are some famous works of Modern Chinese Literature?

Some famous works of Modern Chinese Literature include “Rickshaw Boy” by Lao She, “To Live” by Yu Hua, “Red Sorghum” by Mo Yan, “Love in a Fallen City” by Eileen Chang, and “Soul Mountain” by Gao Xingjian.

Who is the father of Chinese literature?

Lu Xun is the father of Chinese literature.