Midnight

Name: Midnight
ISBN: 9787541165054

Mao Dun (Shen Dehong)Sichuan Literature and Art Publishing House · ChinaJun 2023

4.3

Word count: 281K words
Chapters: 22
ISBN: 9787541165054

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Summary

The story unfolds in Shanghai in 1930. Centered on the conflict and struggle between the national industrial capitalist Wu Sunfu and the comprador financial capitalist Zhao Botao, it vividly and profoundly reflects the social landscape of the time. At first Zhao Botao tries to draw Wu Sunfu into government bond speculation, while Wu joins with other capitalists to form a trust company in hopes of developing national industry, bringing him into conflict with Zhao. Backed by foreign financial capital, Zhao opposes Wu at every turn; and with warlord strife, rural bankruptcy, and worker slowdowns and strikes, Wu and his partners, despite desperate efforts, cannot escape total defeat. This tragedy shows that under imperialist invasion, control, and oppression, China's national industry can never develop.

Editor's review

Midnight is a novel written by Mao Dun in the 1930s and a landmark in the history of modern Chinese literature. Set in Shanghai in 1930, it presents a panoramic view of the complex face of Chinese society at the time through the struggles and efforts of the national capitalist Wu Sunfu. With imperialist economic aggression and domestic warlord infighting squeezing it from both sides, where could Chinese national industry go? This is the core question running through the entire book. With his grand narrative structure, delicate psychological portrayal, and creation of typical characters in typical circumstances, Mao Dun not only depicts the glamour and turbulence of the foreign concessions but also profoundly reveals the weakness of the national bourgeoisie, the dependence of the comprador bourgeoisie, and the awakening of the working class. Reading Midnight is not only an appreciation of a literary classic but also a look through the prism of literature at how, in that stormy era, individual destiny was closely intertwined with the nation's future. Its profound realist technique and epic quality still carry strong impact and intellectual inspiration today.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers with a strong interest in the history of modern Chinese literature and realist works
History and literature enthusiasts who wish to understand Chinese society, the economy, and urban life in the 1930s
Readers who appreciate epic narratives with grand structure, many characters, and complex plotlines
Those who need to study the history of national capitalist development and social class analysis

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking light, fast-paced entertainment reading
Readers completely unfamiliar with the historical background of the Republic of China and socioeconomic issues who are unwilling to understand them in depth

Reading tips

Before reading, a brief understanding of China's historical background around 1930, especially the situation of national industry, will help in understanding the characters' motives and plot conflicts.
The network of characters is complex; it is advisable to jot down the main characters and their relationships to better grasp the storyline.
Pay attention to the author's portrayal of Shanghai's urban landscape and the lives of various social classes; these details are an important part of the novel's period atmosphere.

About the publisher

Sichuan Literature and Art Publishing House China · Founded in 1984

Sichuan Literature and Art Publishing House is a professional literary and art publishing institution. It mainly publishes books on contemporary and modern literature, foreign literature, poetry and prose, music and art, and literary theory. Judging from the books in the database, the house places considerable emphasis on classic works and foreign literature. Representative titles include Lu Xun's Call to Arms and Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk, Lao She's Camel Xiangzi, Xiao Hong's The Story of Hulan River, J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, William Shakespeare's Hamlet, and Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha. Its translator resources include Deng Jiawan, Shi Zhongge, Du Yunci, and Zhu Shenghao. Common categories include social fiction, classic works, foreign literature, world classics, literary appreciation, and classical poetry, reflecting a publishing profile that balances Chinese and foreign literary classics with literary appreciation.

版权信息
一
二
三
四
五
六
七
八
九
十
十一
十二
十三
十四
十五
十六
十七
十八
十九
后记
再来补充几句

FAQ

What does the title Midnight signify?

"Midnight" refers to the hours between eleven at night and one in the morning, symbolizing the darkest moment. The title suggests that Chinese society in 1930, when the story takes place, was in the darkest period before dawn, and it also metaphorically implies the low point and predicament into which the careers and lives of national capitalist Wu Sunfu and others had fallen.

What is the literary status of this book?

Midnight is widely recognized as a landmark realist masterpiece in the history of modern Chinese literature. It marks the maturation of the Chinese novel in character portrayal, structural arrangement, and the depth and breadth of reflecting social reality, and it has had a profound influence on later literary creation.

What is the significance of reading Midnight for understanding China today?

The book profoundly reveals the complex interaction between capital, power, and social structure in the process of modernization. Its themes—the survival of national industry, the pains of social transformation, and individual choices amid the tide of the times—still have important historical reference value and intellectual significance for thinking about contemporary China's development path and social issues.

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About the author

Mao Dun (Shen Dehong) Author · Chinese · 1896–1981

Mao Dun (1896–1981), originally named Shen Dehong and styled Yanbing, was a native of Wuzhen, Tongxiang, Zhejiang. He was a modern Chinese writer, literary critic and social activist. He took part in the building of modern Chinese literature through criticism and editorial work, and later secured his place in its history with the novel Midnight. His other works include the trilogy Eclipse, Spring Silkworms, The Lin Family Shop and Praise of the White Poplar. His writing draws closely on social reality, with a cool and meticulous touch, focusing on the relationship between individual circumstance and historical change, and extending to essays and the study of myth. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he served as the first Minister of Culture and long as chairman of the Chinese Writers Association; in 1981 he donated funds to establish the Mao Dun Literature Prize. This site carries 15 of his works.