Fingers

Mu ShiyingMay 2017

3.8

Word count: 2.2K words
Chapters: 4

Summary

This volume collects newly discovered essays, theoretical writings, and reviews by Mu Shiying, as well as translations, including a long essay that takes issue with "socialist realism."

Editor's review

This book brings together Mu Shiying's essays, theoretical writings, and translations beyond his fiction, with a long essay taking issue with "socialist realism" being of particular documentary value. It shows readers how a writer known for his New Sensationist urban style participated at the theoretical level in the literary debates of twentieth-century China, and it fills gaps in existing collections of Mu Shiying's works. The newly discovered materials make the historical record of Mu Shiying studies more complete; it is best read after his fiction, to look back at his theoretical concerns and understand the tension between creation and criticism. It should be treated as a research text rather than light reading; reading it alongside relevant literary-historical background will better convey its polemical context and documentary significance.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Modern literature researchers needing to supplement Mu Shiying's theoretical writings
Chinese modern literature students conducting case studies of authors
Readers interested in the New Sensationists and their literary debates
Dedicated readers collecting Mu Shiying's works

Not a good fit for

Ordinary literature lovers who only want to read Mu Shiying's fiction
Casual readers expecting light essays
Beginners lacking background in modern literary history

Reading tips

Read Mu Shiying's representative fiction first, then return to his theoretical writings and reviews to understand the link between creation and criticism.
When reading the long polemical essay, outline its targets and core arguments, and take brief notes.
Read the translations alongside the literary debates of the same period, noting source materials and version information.

版权信息
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FAQ

What kind of writing does this book mainly collect by Mu Shiying?

It mainly collects newly discovered essays, theoretical writings, and reviews by Mu Shiying, as well as translations, including a long essay taking issue with "socialist realism." It is a document collection with a strong research orientation.

Can I understand it without a foundation in modern literary history?

You can read it, but understanding the polemical background will be difficult. It is advisable first to grasp the basic outline of the literary debates of the 1930s, then read the long theoretical essay, which will work better.

Is it suitable as an introductory book to Mu Shiying?

Not very. For an introduction, it is better to start with his representative fiction; this book is more of a supplementary collection of historical materials and theoretical writings, suitable after some reading foundation.

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About the author

Mu Shiying Author · Chinese · 1912–1940

Mu Shiying (1912–1940) was a native of Cixi, Zhejiang, and a modern Chinese novelist as well as a leading figure of the New Sensationist school. Writing under the pen names Fayang and Anonymous, he graduated from Guanghua University and became known for his depictions of urban life in Shanghai, earning the title of "master of Chinese New Sensationism." His works often focus on the emotional and existential conditions of urban men and women, with a跳跃, image-dense style that uses sound, color, and light to capture the rhythm and sense of disillusionment in the modern city. His representative works include North and South, The Cemetery, The Bust of the Platinum Woman, and The Virgin's Feelings, along with celebrated pieces such as "Shanghai Foxtrot," "Five Men in a Nightclub," and "Pierrot." The collection here contains twenty-nine of his works, spanning social fiction, fine fiction, classic works, and prose miscellany.