Reading China: Top 10 Chinese Books Of 2016
——Re-examining Rural Ethics
Author Ge Fei is a famous contemporary Chinese writer and professor of Chinese literature at Tsinghua University. Through recounting stories of ordinary people from Zhaocun Village in southern China, Awaiting the Breeze traces the development of the village across 50 years, landing on the possibility of “rural China” disappearing altogether one day. But this is not a simple work of nostalgia. “It looks quite decadent, but it’s actually full of vitality,” opined one critic.
Written by Ge Fei, published by Yilin Press, June 2016
Anonymous
——Urban and Rural LifeIn her novel Anonymous, renowned contemporary Chinese writer Wang Anyi took a man from a modern, civilized society and threw him deep into the mountains for a fight for survival. Filled with subtle warnings and abstract metaphors, the book deftly reflects on the process of civilization. As professor of Chinese literature at Fudan University Zhang Xinying noted, “It might seem like the main hero of Anonymous is a specific person, but it’s really about the changes in all humans when they suddenly return to an uncivilized world.”
Written by Wang Anyi, published by People’s Literature Publishing House, January 2016
Tide of Studying Abroad: Era of Turbulence and Dreams
—— Survey of Early Foreign-bound Chi－nese StudentsSenior Hong Kong publisher and writer Cheung Shin-yee searched the memoirs of nearly 300 people to piece together trends of the first half of the 20th Century, when the flow of students studying abroad reached its zenith during China’s early waves of modern transformation. It also recounts the experiences of studying abroad of Cai Yuanpei and Lu Xun and many other famous modern Chinese intellectuals. The study is particularly meaningful as it coincides with another wave of studying abroad that has emerged in China: “I hope the new trend doesn’t share the fate of its predecessor.”
Written by Cheung Shin-yee, published by Beijing Joint Publishing Company & Post Wave Publishing Company, October 2016
Public Political Philosophy
——Original Chinese Work on Political Philosophy
A book describing and analyzing the three mainstream Western public political philosophies, this publication marked China’s first domestic systemic research on public political philosophy. The book has been described as “an outstanding original work that filled a void in research in China.” Author Ren Jiantao is a professor of political science at Tsinghua University and active in research of political philosophy, Chinese and Western political discourses, and Chinese politics.
Written by Ren Jiantao, published by Guangxi Normal University Press
Collection of Yang Xianrang
——Century of Art Tradition
Born in 1930, Yang Xianrang is one of the earliest Chinese printmakers to have won international acclaim, as well as a pioneer in the research of Chinese folk art. This anthology of his work consists of four volumes: From the Island, A Group of Three, Roaring Dreams, and Be Myself. The collection covers his experience, teachers, helpful friends, folk art, and Sino-Western art communication, composing a comprehensive review of his life. In some circles, Yang is called “a man with Chinese century-old art history.”
Written by Yang Xianrang, published by Guangxi Normal University Press, November 2016
Big City in a Massive Country: Unity, Development and Balance of Contemporary China
—— Research on Development of Big Cities
This book uses the general laws of economics and empirical data to study the reality behind air pollution, traffic congestion and other issues arising from China’s rapid urbanization and highlights the importance of China’s development of big cities. From the author’s point of view, the general public’s help is needed to solve problems such as overpopulation and provide equal resources and opportunities. Author Lu Ming is director of the Center for Development and Policy Studies at Fudan University.
Written by Lu Ming, published by Shanghai People’s Publishing House, August 2016
A Kingdom of Giant Babies
——Seeing through China’s Psychology
This book is based on a thorough analysis of the narcissism of a giant baby, suggesting that the same sort of concept is affecting many Chinese plagued by common psychological problems including acting in a manic, over-controlling and helpless way. It presents an acute picture of human psychology. Gracefully written with deep concern for providing relief, the book also touches on the brilliance of humanity. Author Wu Zhihong is a famous Chinese psychologist.
Written by Wu Zhihong, published by Zhejiang People’s Publishing House, December 2016
Notes on The Handbook on Sea Creatures
——Pop ScienceThe Handbook on Sea Creatures was illustrated by painter Nie Huang in 1698. He drew 300 sea creatures he had seen on China’s coast. The book is full of wit and humor, but it also has many inaccuracies. Zhang Chenliang analyzed and researched Nie’s work from the perspective of modern biology. Due to its detailed content and concise style, it has proved to be a very popular piece of original scientific work.
Written by Zhang Chenliang, published by CITIC Press Group, December 2016
Behind the Loneliness
—— A Hao-style Sci-fiThis book is a collection of science fictions that Hao Jingfang published from 2010 to 2016, including the 2016 Hugo Award-winning Beijing Folding. The title was drawn from words of the author: science fiction conceives a possible world where people stand on the edge of the world and will most likely feel alienated. To be rejected by the world is the loneliest kind of loneliness.
Written by Hao Jingfang, published by Jiangsu Phoenix Literature & Art Publishing House, August 2016
A Farmer Like This
——Wonders of Rural LifeFarming life in China’s Taiwan is well known throughout the world. Author Lu Yao visited more than 60 farmers and 10 non-governmental organizations in Taiwan to record their stories and get a big picture of real rural farmers. The book illuminates the possibilities of combining modernity and traditions to create a better rural life.
Written by Lu Yao, published by Changjiang Literature & Art Publishing House, June 2016
This article was sourced from The Beijing News book review.