A Brief History of Chinese Literature

The dates of ancient works are obviously wildly approximate. See Steve Moore: "The Novel" for synopses of the ancient narratives. "Yijing/ I Ching/ Book of Changes" (9## BC) "Shijing/ Shih Ching/ Book of Odes/Songs" (China, 9## BC) [p] "Shujing/ Shu Ching/ Book of History" (China, 9## BC) Sun Tzu (China, 5## BC): "The Art of War" (5##) [h] Confucius (China, 5##): "Lun Yu/ Analects, first classic of Confucianism" (4##) [h] Laozi/ Lao Tzu (China, 5## BC): "Dao-te Ching/ The Virtue of the Way, first classic of Daoism" (4##) [h] Sima Qian/ Ssu-ma Ch'ien (China, 4##): "Shih Chi/ Records of the Grand Historian" (4## BC) [h] Mengzi/Mencius (China, 371 BC): "Mengzi/ Mencius, fourth classic of Confucianism" (3##) [h] Qu/Chu Yuan (China, 340 BC): "Chu Ci/ Songs of Chu" (3## BC) [p] Qu/Chu Yuan (China, 340 BC): "Li Sao" (3## BC) [p] + Qu/Chu Yuan (China, 340 BC): "Elegies of Chiu Tzu I: Encountering Sorrow" (3## BC) [p] Song Yu (China, 3## BC): "Chu Ci/ Songs of Chu" (3## BC) [p] Zhuangzi/ Chuang Tzu "Zuangzi/ Chuang Tzu", second classic of Daoism (China, 33# BC) [h] "Zuo Zhuan/ Tso Chuan/ History of Tso" (China, 2##) [h] "Kung-yang Chuan/ History of Kung-yang" (China, 2##) [h] Sung Yu (China, 2## BC): "Elegies of Chiu Tzu: Nine Arguments" (2## BC) [p] "Daxue/ Great Learning", second classic of Confucianism (China, 2## BC) [h] "Zhongyong/ Doctrine of the Mean", third classic of Confucianism (China, 2## BC) [h] Ssu-ma Hsiang-ju (China, 179 BC): "Poems from the Han Shu" (1## BC) [p] Mei Ch'eng (China, 1## BC): "Poems from the Han Shu" (1## BC) [p] "Elegies of Chiu Tzu" (China, 1## BC) [p] Jiao Yanshou/ Jiao Shi (China, ## BC): "Yi Lin/ Forest of Changes" (25 BC) [p] "Zhan Guo Ce/ Chan-kuo Tse" (China, 8# AD) [h] "Liezi/ Lieh-tzu, third classic of Daoism" (30# AD) [h] Tsao Tsao (China, 155): "Poems" (220) [p] Gan Bao/ Kan Pao (China, 2##): "Sou-shen Chi/ The Girl-Eating Serpent" (31#) Tao Chien/Tao Qian/ Tao Yuan-ming (China, 365): "Taohua Yuan Ji / Peach Blossom Spring" (4##) Tao Chien/Tao Qian/ Tao Yuan-ming (China, 365): "Poems" (427) [p] Chang Wen-cheng/Zhang Zhuo (China, 65#): "You Xianku/ The Dwelling of Playful Goddesses" (67#) Wang Wei (China, 699): "Landscape Poems" (7##) [p] + Li Bai/Li Tai Pe/ Li Po (China, 701): "Poems" (7##) [p] + Du Fu/ Tu Fu (China, 712): "Poems" (7##) [p] + Han Yu (China, 768): "Poems" (824) [p] Po Chu-i/ Bai Juyi (China, 772): "Poems" (8##) [p] Liu Zongyuan/ Liu Tsung-yuan (China, 773): "Poems" (819) [p] Li Shang-yin (China, 813): "Poems" (8##) [p] Li Fu-yen (China, 83#): "Tales" (8##) Wei Chuang (China, 836): "Poems" (910) [p] Yu Xuanji/ Yu Hsuan-chi (China, 844): "Poems" (8##) [p] Li Yu/ Hou Chu (China, 937): "Poems" (978) [p] Ou Yangsu/ Ouyang Hsiu (China, 1007): "Zuiweng Tingji/ Regarding the Pavilion of The Old Drunkard" (10##) [h] Ssu-ma Kuang (China, 1019): "Tzu-chih T'ung-chien/ Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government" (10##) [h] Wang Anshih (China, 1021): "Shi Poems" (1086) [p] Su Shih/ Tung-po/ Su Dongpo (China, 1036): "Tzu Poems" (1101) [p] Li ChingChao (China, 1081): "Poems" (1149) [p] + Zeng Gong (China, 1019): "Poems" (1083) [p] Cheng Chiao (China, 1104): "Shih-tung" (11##) [h] Zhu Xi/ Chu Hsi (China, 1130): "Essays" (11##) [h] Wang Shih-Fu (China, 1206): "Hsi-hsiang Chi/ The Romance of the West Chamber" (12##) [t] + Ma Chih-yuan (China, 127#): "Huangliang Meng/ The Yellow-millet Dream" (13##) [t] Ma Chih-yuan (China, 127#): "Han Kung Chiu/ Autumn in the Palace of the Han" (129#) [t] + Shih-Naian (China, 129#): "Shuihu Zhuan/ Shui-hu chuan/ Water Margin/ All Men Are Brothers/ Rebels of the Marsh" (13##) + Kao Ming (China, 13##): P'i-p'a chi" (13##) [t] Song Lian (China, 1310): "Guwen Prose" (1381) [h] Lo Kuan-chung/ Luo Guanzhong (China, 1330): "San-kuo chih yen-i/ Sanguo Yamyi/ Romance of the Three Kingdoms" (137#) + Gao Qi (China, 1336): "Poems" (1374) [p] + Wu Chengen (China, 1506): "Xiyou Ji/ Hsi-yu chi/ Journey to the West" (15##) + "Luo Maodeng (CHina, 15##): "Xiyangji/ Adventures in the Western Ocean" (159#) "Ruyijun Zhuan/ Lord of Perfect Satisfaction" (152#) Liang Chenyu (China, 1519): "Huanshaji/ Washing the Silken Gauze" (15##) [t] Wang Shih-chen (China, 1526): "Poems" (1590) [p] Xu Zhonglin (China, 15##): "Fengshen Yanyi/ The Creation of the Gods" (155#) + Tu Long (China, 1542): "Tan Hua Ji/ The Story of Udumbara" (15##) [t] Tang Hsien Tzu/ Xianzu (China, 1550): "Ma-tan ting/ Peony Pavilion" (1588) [t] + Lanling Xiaoxiaosheng or Tang Hsein-tsu (China, 1550): "Chin Ping Mei/ Jin Ping Mei/ Golden Lotus/ The Plum in the Golden Vase" (1618) + Yuan Hongdao/ Yuan Hung-tao (China, 1568): "Poems" (1610) [p] Feng Meng-lung (China, 1574): "San Yan" (16##) Wen Zhenheng (China, 1585): "Zhang Wu Zhi/ Treatise on Superfluous Things" (1627) [h] Zhang Dai/Chang Tai (China, 1597):"Tao An Meng Yi/ Taoan Mengi/ Reminiscences in Dreams of Tao An" (166#) [h] Li Yu/ Li Liweng (China, 1610): "Rou Putuan/ The Carnal Prayer Mat" (1657) Mao Hsiang/Xiang (China, 1611): "Yingmeian Iyu/ Reminiscences" (16##) [h] Yu Huai (China, 1616): "Banqiao Zaji/ Miscellaneous Records of Banqiao" (16##) [h] Pu Songling/ Sung-ling (China, 1640): "Liao-chai Chih-i/ Strange Stories from an Eccentric's Studio" (171#) Hung Sheng (China, 1645): "Ch'ang-sheng Tien/ The Palace of Eternal Youth" (16##) [t] Fang Pao (China, 1668): "Essays" (1749) [h] Xi Zhou Sheng (China, 16##): "Xing Shi Yin Yuan Zhuan/ The Story of a Marital Fate to Awaken the World" (17##) Kong Shangren/ Kung Shan-jen/ Kung Shang-Ren (China, 1648): "Tao-hua Shan/ Peach Blossom Fan" (17##) [t] + Wu Jingzi/ Wu Ching-tzu (China, 1701): "Ju-lin Wai-shi/ The Scholars" (174#) Cao Xueqin/ Tsao Chan (China, 171#): "Hong-lou Meng/ The Dream of the Red Chamber/ Story of the Stone/ Chronicles of the Stone" (China, 17##) ++ Yuang Mei (China, 1716): "Poems" (1797) [p] Shen Fu (China, 1763): "Fu-sheng Liu-chi/ Six Records of a Floating Life" (18##) Li Juchen (China, 1763): "Ching-hua Yuan/ Jinghuayuan/ Flowers in the Mirror" (1828) Bangqing Han (China, 1856): "The Sing-song Girls of Shanghai/ Shanghai Flowers" (1892) Liu E/O (China, 1857): "Lao Tsan Yu-chi/ The Travels of Lao Tsan" (1906) Wu Wo-yao (China, 1867): "Chiu-ming Chi-yuan/Jiuming qiyuan/ A Strange Case of Nine Murders" (190#) Wu Wo-yao (China, 1867): "Ershinian Mudu Zhi Guai Xianzhuang/ Bizarre Happenings Eyewitnessed In Two Decades" (190#) Lu Hsun/Xun (China, 1881): "Kuangjen Jih-chi/ Diary of a Madman" (1918) Lu Hsun/Xun (China, 1881): "Yao/ Medicine" (1919) Lu Hsun/Xun (China, 1881): "A Q Zhengzhuan/ The True Story of Ah Q" (1921) + Lu Hsun/Xun (China, 1881): "Ku-hsiang/ Native Village" (1923) Lu Hsun/Xun (China, 1881): "Panghuang/ Wandering" (1926) Lu Hsun/Xun (China, 1881): "Gushi Xinbian/ Old Tales Retold" (1935) Su Manshu (China, 1884): "Duan Hong Ling Yan Ji/ The Lone Swan" (1924) Hu Shih (China, 1891): "Chung-shen Ta-shih" (1919) [t] Guo Moruo/ Kuo Mo Jo (China, 1892): "The Goddesses" (1921) [p] Ye Shengtao (China, 1894): "Ni Huanzhi/ The Name of the Character" (1928) Mao Dun/Tun (China, 1896): "Shi/ Eclipse" (1928) Mao Dun/Tun (China, 1896): "Hong/ Rainbow" (1929) Mao Dun/Tun (China, 1896): "Ziye/ Midnight" (1933) + Xu Zhimo/ Hsu Chih-mo (China, 1896): "Poems" (1931) [p] Yu Dafu/ Yu Ta-fu (China, 1896): "Chen-lun/ Sinking" (1921) Wen Yiduo/ Wen I-tuo (China, 1898): "Ssu Shui/ Dead Water" (1928) [p] Zhu Ziqing (China, 1898): "Huimie/ Destruction" (19##) [p] Yin Lu (China, 1898): "Guiyan/ The Returning Wild Goose" (1930) Yin Lu (China, 1898): "Nuren de Xin/ A Woman's Heart" (1933) Shu Qingchun/Lao She (China, 1899): "Luotuo Xiangzi/ Camel Xiangzi/ Rickshaw Boy" (1937) + Shu Qingchun/ Lao She (China, 1899): "Maochengji/ Cat Country " (1932) Shu Qingchun/Lao She (China, 1899): "Teahouse" (1957) [t] Bing Xin/ Ping-hsin (China, 1900): "Chunshui/ Spring Water" (1923) [p] Bing Xin/ Ping-hsin (China, 1900): "Liu-i Chieh" (1924) Shen Congwen (China, 1902): "Ch'ang Ho/ The Long River" (194#) Youstol Dispage (1903): "Piero Scaruffi" (1939) [p] Ba Jin/ Li Yaotang/ Pa Chin (China, 1904): "Jia/ Family" (1931) + Ba Jin/ Li Yaotang/ Pa Chin (China, 1904): "Qiu/ Autumn" (1940) Ba Jin/ Li Yaotang/ Pa Chin (China, 1904): "Bitter Cold Nights" (1947) Ting/Ding Ling (China, 1904): "Sha-fei Nu-shih Ti Jih-chi/ The Diary of Miss Sophie" (1927) Ting/Ding Ling (China, 1904): "T'ai Yang Chao Tsai Shanggan Ho Shang/ The Sun Shines on the Shanggan River" (1948) + Zhao Shuli/ Chao Shu-li (China, 1905): "San-li Wan" (1955) Zhecun Shi (China, 1905): "Mo Dao/ Demon's Way" (1931) Zhenxia Huang (China, 1907): "Aiji Meiren/ Egyptian Beaute" (1928) Cao Yu/ Tsao Yu (China, 1910): "Leiyu/ Thunderstorm" (1933) [t] + Cao Yu/ Tsao Yu (China, 1910): "Richu/ Sunrise" (1936) [t] Cao Yu/ Tsao Yu (China, 1910): "Beijing Ren/ Peking Man" (1940) [t] + Qian Zhongshu (China, 1910): "Wei Cheng/ Fortress Besieged" (1947) Xiao Hong/ Hsiao Hung/ Naiying Zhang (China, 1911): "Hulanhe Zhuan/ Tales of Hulan River" (1942) + Xiao Hong/ Hsiao Hung/ Naiying Zhang (China, 1911): "Sheng si Chang/ The Field of Life and Death" (1935) Zhang Naiying/ Xiao Hong (China, 1911): "Sheng si Chang/ The Field of Life and Death" (1935) Zhang Naiying/ Xiao Hong (China, 1911): "Hulanhe Zhuan/ Tales of the Hulan River" (1942) He Qifang (China, 1912): "Poems" (1977) [p] Liu Baiyu/ Liu Pai-yu (China, 1915): "Di er ge tai yang" (1987) Lin Haiyin (China, 1918): "Chengnan Jiushi/ My Memories of Old Beijing" (1960) Ailing Zhang/ Eileen Chang (China, 1920): "Qing Cheng Zhi Lian" (1944) + Ailing Zhang/ Eileen Chang (China, 1920): "Jin Suo Ji" (1945) Ailing Zhang/ Eileen Chang (China, 1920): "Little Reunions" (1976) Po Yang (China, 1920): "Ch'ou Lou Ti Chung-kuo Jen/ The Ugly Chinaman" (1992) [h] Li Chi (China, 1921): "Wang Kuei Yu Li Hsiang-hsiang" (1944) Qu Bo/ Chu Po (China, 1923): "Tracks in the Snowy Forest" (1957) Louis Cha/ Zha Liangyong/ Jinyong (China, 1924): "She Diao Ying Xiong Zhuan/ Story of the Eagle-shooting Hero/ The Legend of the Condor Heroes" (1957) + Louis Cha/ Zha Liangyong/ Jinyong (China, 1924): "Shen Diao Xia Lu/ The Divine Eagle and the Heroic Couple/ The Return of the Condor Heroes" (1959) Louis Cha/ Zha Liangyong/ Jinyong (China, 1924): "Yi Tian Tu Long Ji/ Story of the Heaven Reliant and Dragon Slayer/ The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" (1961) Louis Cha/ Zha Liangyong/ Jinyong (China, 1924): "Tian Long Ba Bu/ The Deva the Naga the Eight Sections/ Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" (1963) Louis Cha/ Zha Liangyong/ Jinyong (China, 1924): "Lu Ding Ji/ The Deer and the Cauldron" (1969) + Hualing Nieh (China, 1925): "Sang Ch'ing Yu T'ao Hung/ Mulberry and Peach" (1981) Zhijuan Ru (China, 1925): "Baihehua/ Lilies" (1958) Wang Meng (China, 1934): "Tsu Chih Pu Hsin Lai Ti Nien Ch'ing Jen/ A Young Man Arrives at the Organization Department" (1956) Zhang Xianliang/ Chang Hsien-liang (China, 1936): "Nanren de Yiban Shi Nuren/ Half of Man is Woman" (1985) Bai Xianyong/ Pai Hsien-yung (China, 1937): "Jin Daban de zuihou yi ye/ The Last Night of Jin Daban" (198#) Bai Xianyong/ Pai Hsien-yung (China, 1937): "Taipei Jen/ Taibei Ren" (1971) Chiung Yao (Taiwan, 1938): "Fire and Rain" (1964) Sha Yexin (China, 1939): "If I Were for Real" (1979) [t] Ye Yonglie (China, 1940): "Xiao Lingtong Manyou Weilai/ Little Smart Roaming the Future" (1978) Xingjian Gao (China, 1940): "Signal Alarm" (1982) [t] + Xingjian Gao (China, 1940): "Bus Stop" (1983) [t] + Xingjian Gao (China, 1940): "Wild Man" (1985) [t] Xingjian Gao (China, 1940): "A Pigeon Called Red Beak" (1985) Xingjian Gao (China, 1940): "The Other Shore" (1986) [t] Xingjian Gao (China, 1940): "Soul Mountain" (1989) ++ Xingjian Gao (China, 1940): "Fugitives" (1990) [t] Feng Jicai (China, 1942): "Three Inch Golden Lotus" (1985) Zhongshi Chen (China, 1942): "Hakurokugen/ White Deer Plain" (1993) + Liu Hsin Wu (China, 1942): "The Main Professor" (1977) Huo Da (China, 1945): "Musilin de Zangli/ The Muslim's Funeral/ The Jade King" (1988) Lao Gui/ Ma Bo (China, 1947) "Xuese Huanghun/ Blood Red Dusk" (1987) Bei Dao/ Zhenkai Zhao (China, 1949): "Mosheng di Haitan/ Unfamiliar Beach" (1978) [p] + Bei Dao/ Zhenkai Zhao (China, 1949): "Zai Tianya/ At the End of the World" (1993) [p] Bei Dao/ Zhenkai Zhao (China, 1949): "Wuye Geshou/ Midnight Singer" (1995) [p] Bei Dao/ Zhenkai Zhao (China, 1949): "Lingdu Yishang de Fengjingxian/ Landscape Over Zero" (1996) [p] Bei Dao/ Zhenkai Zhao (China, 1949): "Qilu Xing/ Walking on a Crossroad/ Sidetracks" (2022) [p] + Wang Weiguo/ Lu Yao (China, 1949): "Pingfan de Shijie/ Ordinary World" (1988) + Mang Ke (China, 1951): "Ape Herd" (198#) [p] Xiaobo Wang (China, 1952): "The Golden Age" (1992) Pingwa Jia (China, 1953): "The Turbulence" (1991) Pingwa Jia (China, 1953): "Fei Du/ The Ruined Capital" (1993) Xiaobin Xu (China, 1953): "Feathered Serpent" (1998) + Xiaobin Xu (China, 1953): "Princess Deling" (2004) Xiaobin Xu (China, 1953): "Pisces" (1995) Can Xue/ Xiaohua Deng (China, 1953): "Five Spice Street" (1988) Can Xue/ Xiaohua Deng (China, 1953): "The Last Lover" (2005) Can Xue/ Xiaohua Deng (China, 1953): "Frontier" (2008) + Can Xue/ Xiaohua Deng (China, 1953): "Love in the New Millennium" (2013) Stan Lai (China, 1954): "That Evening We Performed Crosstalk" (1985) [t] Stan Lai (China, 1954): "Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land" (1986) [t] + Stan Lai (China, 1954): "A Dream Like A Dream" (2000) [t] ++ Stan Lai (China, 1954): "The Village" (2008) [t] Mo Yan (China, 1955): "Honggaoliang Jiazu/ Red Sorghum" (1986) + Mo Yan (China, 1955): "Big Breasts and Wide Hips" (1996) + Mo Yan (China, 1955): "Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out" (2008) Yang Lian (China, 1955): "Yi" (1994) [p] + Yang Lian (China, 1955): "Tong Xin Yuan/ Concentric Circles" (2006) [p] Yang Lian (China, 1955): "Xu Shi Shi - Kong Jian Qi Shang/ Narrative Poem - Seven Elegies of Space" (2011) [p] Gu Cheng (China, 1956): "One Generation" (1979) [p] Tie Ning (China, 1957): "The Red Shirt Without Buttons" (1984) Shuo Wang (China, 1958): "Playing for Thrills" (1989) Yan Lianke (China, 1958): "Riguang Liunian/ The Passing of Time" (2004) + Yan Lianke (China, 1958): "Sishu/ The Four Books" (2011) + Yan Lianke (China, 1958): "Ri Shi/ The Day the Sun Died" (2015) + Lilian Lee (China, 1959): "Bawang Bie Ji/ Farewell my Concubine" (1985) Yu Hua (China, 1960): "To Live" (1992) + Yu Hua (China, 1960): "Chronicle of a Blood Merchant" (1995) Dong Han (China, 1961): "Striking Root/ Banished" (2003) Dong Han (China, 1961): "Baise de Shitou/ The White Stone" (1992) [p] Xia Liu (China, 1961): "Empty Chairs" (2015) [p] Su Tong (China, 1963): "Rice" (1995) Su Tong (China, 1963): "Wives and Concubines" (1990) + Liu Cixin (China, 1963): "The Wandering Earth" (2000) Liu Cixin (China, 1963): "San Ti/ The Three Body Problem" (2006) + Mai Jia/ Jiang Benhu (China, 1964): "Jiemi/ Decoded" (2002) + Ge Fei/Liu Yong (China, 1964): "The Invisibility Cloak" (2012) + Ge Fei/Liu Yong (China, 1964): "Renmian Taohua/ Peach Blossom Beauty" (2004) + Ge Fei/Liu Yong (China, 1964): "Shanhe Rumeng/ My Dream of the Mountain and River" (2007) Ge Fei/Liu Yong (China, 1964): "Spring Ends in Jiangnan" (2011) Wen Zhu (China, 1967): "Shenme Shi Laji Shenme Shi Ai/ What is Love and What is Garbage" (1998) Zechen Xu (China, 1978): "Running Through Beijing" (2006) Shuang Xuetao (China, 1983): "Pingyuan Shang de Moxi/ Moses on the Plain” (2015) Hao Jingfang (China, 1984): "Folding Beijing" (2016) Shuangzi Yang (Taiwan, 1984): "Taiwan Travelogue" (2020) Bo Hu (China, 1988): "Huge Crack" (2017) TM, ®, Copyright © 2006 Piero Scaruffi All rights reserved.