Chinese Modernism in the Era of Reforms

“A deeply thought-out and intellectually sophisticated exploration of a decade of major cultural and social changes in China . . . . Chinese Modernism in the Era of Reforms is a work of intense scholarship that attacks its subject with vigour and complexity.” - , Continuum

“This book offers compelling and brilliant insights . . . . Chinese Modernism in the Era of Reforms is a landmark contribution to the field of modern Chinese studies. Its interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approach will be an impetus to scholarship on China. With broad strokes Zhang delineates the historical and social forces in a dramatic interplay with the aesthetic and discursive modernism. No serious student of contemporary Chinese literature, film, and aesthetics can afford to bypass this book.” - Ban Wang, Chinese Literature

“Zhang’s book makes a huge contribution to the discussion of China’s ‘new cinema.’ He succeeds in locating ‘Fifth Generation’ film-making at the heart of his rethinking of Chinese modernism. . . . A real advance in criticism of Chinese films.” - Tony Rayns, Sight & Sound

“Zhang’s readings . . . are instructive. This volume examines (1) China’s most erudite 1980s intellectuals’ high theory debates about the future, modernity, Chinese tradition, and culture generally; (2) modernist literature, including ‘Misty Poetry’ (imagist), ‘Root-seeking,’ and late-1980s avant-garde fiction; and (3) China’s internationally acclaimed new cinema.” - , Choice

“Chinese Modernism in the Era of Reforms will be a first in its elaboration of the social and symbolic construction of Chinese Modernism, and I expect it to elicit a great deal of lively and provocative discussion.” - Wendy Larson, University of Oregon

“Xudong Zhang opens our eyes to the complex cultural and ideological mutations behind the facade of the economic and political ‘modernization’ of China.” - David Wang, Columbia University