Chinese Modern: The Heroic and Quotidian (Post-Contemporary Interventions)

Rating:
Summary: colonial expertise on Taiwan?
Review: I did not know that Prof Tang is an expert on Taiwan. I guess nobody in Taiwan thinks so! This book, briefly mentioning a secondary writer in Taiwan, exactly shows that this book and this scholar are equipped very limited knowledge of Taiwan. It is odd to subjugate Taiwan modernity under Chinese modern. There should be another book on Taiwan modern. I find it horrible that those who do not know Taiwan well can claim any expertise on Taiwan. It sounds so colonial.

Rating:
Summary: overshadowed by Fred Jameson
Review: It seems that the author is very eager to let the reader know that he is fully influenced by Fred Jameson. Long famous for his translation of Jameson and training from Jameson, Tang might be priviledged, but I am afraid, he is also overshadowed by Jameson at the same time. In the book, the Jameson's presence is here and there. I do not know if it is a sign of the writer's piety to the guru, or if it means the writer has no other resources. Jameson is great, true. But when a scholar has had stuck to Jameson for more than one decade, it is weird. I recall that Professor Tang collaborates with Professor Liu Kang (Penn State U) from time to time. I have to say that I see Liu's hardwork and scholarship in his book, MARXISM AND AESTHETICS, but I do not see anything similar in CHINESE MODERN. It is not as theoretical as it should be (even when it is theoretical, it is from Jameson), and it does not provide interesting textual analysis. In one book, I see breakthrough, but I do not see something similar in the other book. As a lover of Lu Xun, I am not impressed at all by Tang's reading of Lu Xun. It is flat, and not inspiring. I insist that we can read Lu Xun more creatively, as long as we are still open to the intellectual input of theoretical training. I totally forget what Tang has written about Lu Xun, but I am so impressed with the highly quotable studies on Marxism and Maoism in Liu's book. TO be honest, I am disappointed with CHINESE MODERN. Fortunately, I have collected enouogh books by Jameson, and I can read them directly without any relay process.

Rating:
Summary: Zhang Xudong's book more helpful
Review: Personally I find Zhang Xudong's book on Chinese modernism more helpful than Tang's to put together a panorama of contemporary China. Theoretically, Zhang's book is also more substantial. Tang's book is not as inspiring. But actually, both Zhang and Tang are from the prestigious literature program at Duke. They might have got similar training there at Duke under Jameson. Maybe they are different in terms of styles. Finally, I admit that I took Zhang's class at NYU and I had a good time. Maybe I should try Tang at Chicago too.