Description
Book SynopsisQuestioning the Chinese Model sheds light on oppositional political novels produced in early twenty-first century China.
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction: Rise of Oppositional Chinese Political Novels Chinese Political Fiction in the Twentieth Century Sociopolitical Crisis and Re-politicization of Society in the New Century Propitious Circumstances for Political Articulation Scope, Themes, Methodology, and Structure of the Book 1. Destruction of Communist Myths Them versus Us: Subversion of the Party-People Myth From Critics to Servants: Changed Role of Chinese Intellectuals after Tiananmen Nationalism as State Ideology Ideologization of Morality, Hedonism, and Political Acquiescence Summary 2. Wolf Totem: Paradoxical Eulogy to a Culture Wolf Totem and Mongolian Correlative Cosmology Social Darwinism, Reverse Chauvinism, and Nationalism A Wolf Destroyed by the “Wolf Logic” Ideological Hegemony behind a Literary Sensation Summary 3. Lenin’s Kisses: Absurdity, Dehumanization, and Dilemma of the Chinese Utopia Revolution as Nightmare Contemporary Freak Show: Absurdity and Cruelty of the Biopolitics of a Utopia “With Money, Anything Is Possible” Arbitrariness of Power, Sustainability of Dictatorship, and Dead-End Future Summary 4. Such Is This World@sars.come: Dictatorship as a Fatal Disease “Lockdown” as Social Reality and Political Allegory The Terrifying “Old Crone” behind the Screen The Chinese Intelligentsia after Tiananmen: Cynicism and Division Two Faces of the Party: Ugliness behind a Lovely Mask Summary 5. The Fat Years: Social Injustice, Forced Amnesia, Distorted Mentality, and Fascism Fake Paradise: Darkness behind the Chinese “Miracle” Falsified History and Forced Amnesia Mental Distortion and Spiritual Agony “Fascism? We Are Only in Its Early Stages!” Summary 6. The Seventh Day: Dystopian Wasteland versus Modern Peach Blossom Spring Bloody Predation and Deceptive Propaganda Destruction of Sanctified Human Feelings Banality of Evil: Callous Indifference and Moral Corruption Peach Blossom Spring: Utopia of Truth, Love, and Happiness Summary Epilogue: Limits of Transgression and Mechanisms of Counter-Censorship Notes Bibliography Index
