Chinese Autobiographical Writing: An Anthology of Personal Accounts

Chinese Autobiographical Writing provides a unique insight into the history and conventions of writing about oneself in the Chinese tradition, featuring full translations of works by fifty individuals. These engaging and readable works cover a range of formats, from poetry and letters to diaries and legal proceedings, offering an intimate view of how Chinese men and women, both famous and obscure, reflected on their experiences and personal struggles. The book is ideal for undergraduate courses on Chinese history, literature, religion, and women and family and highlights cultural change over time by exploring how people represented themselves in writing.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 03 January 2023
Publisher: University of Washington Press

Personal accounts play a crucial role in our understanding of self, interpersonal relations, and historical events. Chinese Autobiographical Writing offers a comprehensive exploration of this genre, presenting full translations of works by fifty individuals that shed light on the history and conventions of self-writing in the Chinese tradition. Spanning various forms such as poetry, letters, diaries, and legal proceedings, these engaging and readable texts transport us to different periods, from the pre-imperial era to the nineteenth century.

Some autobiographies focus on the entirety of a person's life, while others delve into specific moments or experiences. They exhibit a range of tones, from humorous to serious, reflecting the diverse perspectives and emotions of the authors. Collectively, these selections provide an intimate glimpse into the lives of Chinese men and women, both renowned and obscure, as they reflect upon their experiences, personal struggles, and deepest thoughts.

This volume is particularly valuable for undergraduate courses in Chinese history, literature, religion, and women and family. It serves as a resource for individual reading, allowing us to gain insights into the lives of specific individuals and places. When read chronologically, the selections highlight cultural change over time by showcasing how people explored new ways to represent themselves in writing.

The open access publication of this book is made possible by a grant from the James P. Geiss and Margaret Y. Hsu Foundation. By making these works accessible to a wider audience, we hope to foster greater understanding and appreciation of the rich tapestry of Chinese autobiographical writing.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780295751221