Pagine1881–1936 · Shaoxing, China · also known as Lu Hsun, Zhou Shuren
Lu Xun studied medicine in Japan but decided that China needed its mind healed more than its body. His “A Madman’s Diary” (1918) was the first major short story written in modern vernacular Chinese, and The True Story of Ah Q (1921) is a savage satire of national weakness. He is regarded as the father of modern Chinese literature.
Begin with The True Story of Ah Q.
Part of our Asian Classics reading list — print it, email it to yourself or share it.
Confucius · Laozi · Cao Xueqin · Murasaki Shikibu · Matsuo Bashō · Natsume Sōseki · Rabindranath Tagore · Premchand · Rumi
Lu Xun studied medicine in Japan but decided that China needed its mind healed more than its body. His “A Madman’s Diary” (1918) was the first major short story written in modern vernacular Chinese, and The True Story of Ah Q (1921) is a savage satire of national weakness.
A Madman’s Diary is usually considered Lu Xun’s best-known work, followed by The True Story of Ah Q, Call to Arms.
Most readers start with The True Story of Ah Q.
Both refer to the same writer. Other spellings and names include Lu Hsun, Zhou Shuren.
Lu Xun’s books are still under copyright, so they are not free to download, but many can be borrowed free from your public library or Open Library — we link to them below.