The Transculturation of Judge Dee Stories: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

Transculturation is a concept that explores the exchange of ideas, beliefs, and practices between different cultures. This book is the first in English scholarship to discuss the influence of van Guliks Judge Dee mysteries on contemporary productions of Judge Dee tales. The author is a specialist in Chinese detective fiction and her previous book on the topic received a positive review from Jeffrey Kinkley.

Format: Hardback
Length: 122 pages
Publication date: 07 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

"Transculturation" is a concept that has been widely used in popular genre studies between the East and the West. This book is the first in English scholarship to discuss the influence of van Guliks Judge Dee mysteries on contemporary productions of Judge Dee tales. The author, a specialist in the studies of Chinese detective fiction, has written a previous book titled "Detecting Chinese Modernities" (Brill, 2020), which has received a positive review by Jeffrey Kinkley, the author of "Chinese Justice." Her Chinese book on Chinese detective fiction has also been well received.

The book explores the ways in which van Guliks Judge Dee mysteries have been adapted and reinterpreted in contemporary productions, drawing on a range of theoretical frameworks and cultural contexts. It also examines the ways in which these adaptations reflect and challenge traditional notions of East-West cultural exchange and identity.

One of the key themes of the book is the role of translation in the transcultural exchange of detective fiction. The author argues that translation is not just a mechanical process of conveying meaning from one language to another, but rather a creative act that involves the negotiation of cultural differences and the construction of new meanings. The book provides a detailed analysis of the translation process used in the adaptations of van Guliks Judge Dee mysteries, and explores the ways in which these translations have influenced the reception and interpretation of the stories in different cultural contexts.

Another important theme of the book is the role of gender and sexuality in the transcultural exchange of detective fiction. The author argues that detective fiction is often used as a means of exploring and challenging traditional gender roles and sexual norms. The book provides a detailed analysis of the ways in which these themes are represented in the adaptations of van Guliks Judge Dee mysteries, and explores the ways in which these representations have influenced the reception and interpretation of the stories in different cultural contexts.

The book also explores the ways in which the adaptations of van Guliks Judge Dee mysteries have been influenced by other cultural and historical factors, such as the rise of consumer culture, the impact of globalization, and the changing attitudes towards religion and spirituality. The author argues that these factors have played a significant role in shaping the adaptations of the stories and have contributed to their transcultural appeal.

In conclusion, this book is a valuable contribution to the field of popular genre studies and cultural studies. It provides a detailed analysis of the influence of van Guliks Judge Dee mysteries on contemporary productions of Judge Dee tales, and explores the ways in which these adaptations reflect and challenge traditional notions of East-West cultural exchange and identity. The book also offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the role of translation, gender, sexuality, and other cultural and historical factors in the transcultural exchange of detective fiction.

Weight: 400g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032314150