Current Development of Historical Novels

Historical literature has gradually become a bright spot in the literary world: with the traditional realist creations of Ling Li, Tang Haoming, February River, and Xiong Zhaozheng, and the new and revolutionary historical writings and revolutionary historical writings of Su Tong, Liu Zhenyun, Ge Fei, Mo Yan, and Zhao Mei in different forms, as well as the pioneering historical writings in the categories of drama, new compilation, and irony, historical literature is increasingly presenting itself as a diversified state. On the other hand, history fever is becoming a meaningful literary event: from the popularity of "Zhang Juzheng" to the popularity of TV dramas "Yongzheng Dynasty" and "The Young Prince of Heaven", and even "Tasting the Three Kingdoms" and "Reading the Analects", "Those things in the Ming Dynasty", the contradictions and controversies surrounding the creation of literature on historical themes are fiercely expressing the profound transmutation of values, ways of thinking, artistic aesthetics and many other aspects of our era.

However, in contrast to the popularity of historical literature, there are two tendencies in the study and criticism of historical literature: either it is enthusiastically promoted out of its own position and needs, or it is regarded as conservative, outdated, or even anti-modern, and discarded as worthless. All of these reflect the impatience of the Chinese people in their cultural choices. Interpretation of historical texts, must be integrated into the individual real life experience, otherwise, the history of writing and related historical knowledge and insight will easily become cold and boring.

But reading this heavy work, there will never be such a cold and boring feeling, on the contrary, often will continue to feel those seemingly ordinary, in the middle of the academic text behind the rules, there is a persistent care for the real society and attachment. For example, when analyzing the origin of the craze of "history" literature, the author pointed out right on the spot that it is "a meaningful correction" of the local cultural position and traditional culture to the modern course of the western style in the context of globalization. This seems to come from a kind of academic rational analysis, but in fact it is more integrated into the author's firm confidence in the local culture.