Contemporary Chinese literature: Voices of three generations

Although Chinese literature has a history dating back two thousand years, its dynamism has never waned. By popularizing vernacular prose in the early decades of the last century, Lu Xun, Lao She, Ba Jin and others of the New Culture Movement revolutionized modern Chinese literature. Chinese writings today also reflect vibrant changes in modern society, offering us a distinct and creative insight into the political, social, economic, and demographic transformations that are taking place in present day China. 

On May 29, the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution will host three accomplished contemporary Chinese writers: Zhao Lihong, born in the 1950s, is a gifted Shanghainese poet, author and literary critic; Su Tong, born in the 1960s, is bestselling author of “Raise the Red Lantern” (Penguin Books, 1996); and Feng Tang, born in the 1970s, is China’s popular jack-of-all-trades writer. The discussion will center on the generational differences of writing in—and about—a rapidly changing China.

Questions will be taken from the audience following the discussion.

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