Ep. 1: Chinese Fiction in the Reform & Opening Up Era

Chinese fiction serves as a critical lens for understanding the country’s rapid societal and political transformations since the end of the Cultural Revolution. Guests Perry Link and Jianying Zha trace the evolution of this literary landscape, from the cathartic "scar literature" of the late 1970s to the cynical, market-driven urban fiction of the 1990s. While the 1980s fostered a brief, vibrant convergence of intellectual inquiry and public discourse, subsequent decades saw a shift toward commercialism and increased state censorship. The discussion highlights the "Wang Shuo phenomenon" as a pivotal moment of cultural deconstruction and notes how contemporary writers now struggle to navigate a restrictive environment, often retreating into traditional realism or self-censorship. Ultimately, the dialogue underscores the diminishing influence of serious literature in shaping national identity as the state tightens its control over both public expression and historical narrative.