2001•Journal of Capital Normal UniversityRequires access
Historical Choice and Chosen History
Ying Zhang
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Abstract
This paper, based on the receptor's aesthetics theory and via an analysis of readers, explores the development of Chinese war novels in the past 50 years, arguing the large number and low-quality of war novels in the 50s and 60s are attributed to the same political views of writers and readers. The novels in the 80s are creative both in forms and themes due to aesthetic expectations of readers but a bit shallow. Only the multipolar tastes in the 90s ultimately help bring out the epic style of war novels. The paper also challenges the contention that 50s and 60s as well as 80s are the two apexes of war novels.