On the Historical Notion and Narrative Features of Huo Ran's Historical Novels

As a divergence from theactual historyin background,alternate history novels aim to imagine thewhat ifscenarios. With over a hundred years of evolution,this unique genre closely examines the nature of history and, through history,tries to focus on the present,reflecting contemporary people's concerns over various social issues. Alternate history novels subvert the notion of historical truthand break the linear structure in traditional history; they put emphasis on the role of individual behaviors and contingencies. In terms of writing techniques,this type of novels has remarkable features of postmodern narrative,such as intertextuality,metafiction,spatiality,etc. However, alternate history novels are far from a simple damage or denial of the given history; instead,they,by means of a comparison between different histories,offer a new dimension for reader to observe and contemplate history. This will give rise to more social criticism,thus conducive to reshaping the present world.