Lu Xun's Revolution: Writing in a Time of Violence
As the recognized founder of modern Chinese literature and arguably the central intellectual figure in China and much of East Asia throughout the twentieth century and even up to the present day, the influence of Lu Xun is difficult to overestimate, and, so it logically follows, is the significance of this book.Gloria Davieshas taken a tripartite approach: she assesses Lu Xun from a literary, linguistic, and intellectual angle and does so with elegant precision. No one has treated Lu Xun as an essayist--particularly in the last ten years of his life--as well and as sensitively as Davies has here. (Jon Eugene von Kowallis, author ofThe Lyrical Lu Xun)There is a wealth of insights inLu Xun's Revolution, and I applaudGloria Daviesfor such thorough and conscientious efforts in plowing through all the sources of the later Lu Xun. Davieshas not only carefully gone through all the controversies on the leftist literary front in Lu Xun's time; she has brought the relevance of Lu Xun's essays to the present world. I have always lamented the fact that many Lu Xun scholars, including myself, do not do full justice to the later Lu Xun. Now the record is being set straight. (Leo Ou-Fan Lee, author ofThe Voices of Iron House: A Study of Lu Xun)The range ofDavies' research is staggering, and her erudition is impressive as she glides through Lu Xun's literary career. She deals frankly and comprehensively with Lu Xun's most prominent critics and notes how he handled them with intensity and agility. She has much to say, as well, about his theories of writing--how he decried political rhetoric, despised romantic fiction and saw the moral ambiguity of revolutionary writing. She also reproduces his list of eight tips for aspiring writers. (Kirkus Reviews2013-01-15)InLu Xun's Revolution,Davieshas created a fascinating account of the final years of the writer's life and the beginning of his literary afterlife. (Julia LovellWall Street Journal2013-05-24)A groundbreaking work. (Eva Shan ChouTimes Higher Education2013-05-23)For those who would like to find out about Lu Xun there is plenty of information in this copious literary and political biography...Lu Xun's Revolutionis a formidable book. (Jonathan MirskyLiterary Review2013-06-01)This richly documented study of China’s pre-eminent writer Lu Xun (1881-1936) byGloria Daviescannot fail to provoke deep reflection on the issue of the creative writer, artist, philosopher, or scholar and his or her involvement in politics. (Mabel LeeAustralian Book Review2014-02-01)