Fortress Besieged
Cover art of the 1st edition of Fortress Besieged, 1947
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| Author | Qian Zhongshu |
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| Country | China |
| Language | Chinese |
| Genre | Novel |
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Publication date
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1947 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| ISBN | (2006 Penguin edition) |
Fortress Besieged (Simplified Chinese: 围城; Traditional Chinese: 圍城; Pinyin: wéi chéng) was written by Qian Zhongshu, published in 1947, and is widely considered one of the masterpieces of twentieth century Chinese literature. The novel is a humorous tale about middle-class Chinese society in the late 1930s. It was made into a popular television series in the early 1990s.
The book was begun while Qian Zhongshu and his wife Yang Jiang were living in Shanghai during the Japanese occupation. According to Yang Jiang, the successful production of several of her plays inspired Qian to write a full-length novel.
The writing of the novel began in 1944, and was completed in 1946. Much of the characters and plot are taken from the experiences of Qian and Yang abroad and in China. For example, the opening scene at sea reflects their journey from France to China on board the ship Athos II.
The title is based on a French proverb:
The novel is known for its acerbic asides, such as describing one young lady in the following way:
The novel was published in Shanghai in 1947. The second edition was published 1948. The third edition in 1949. After the Communist Revolution, the book was not re-printed in mainland China again until 1980. In the meantime, it was also banned in Taiwan because of its satire of the Nationalist government.
Set in the 1930s it follows the misadventures of Fang Hung-chien ( Fāng Hóngjiān), a bumbling everyman who wastes his time studying abroad, and secures a fake degree when learning he has run out of money and must return home to China. The first part of the novel is set on the boat home, where Fang courts two young ladies.
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Wikipedia