The Columbia History of Chinese Literature

About this book

The Columbia History of Chinese Literature is a comprehensive yet portable guide to Chinas vast literary traditions. Stretching from earliest times to the present the text features original contributions by leading specialists working in all genres and periods. Chapters cover poetry prose fiction and drama and consider such contextual subjects as popular culture the impact of religion the role of women and Chinas relationship with non-Sinitic languages and peoples. Opening with a major section on the linguistic and intellectual foundations of Chinese literature the anthology traces the development of forms and movements over time along with critical trends and pays particular attention to the premodern canon.