Zhang Henshui 張恨水 [pen name of Zhang Xinyuan 張心遠] 1895-1967
Born in Jiangxi province, began working as a reporter in Beijing in 1917. In 1924, he finished his first novel Chunming waishi 春明外史 [An unofficial history of Beijing], heavily influenced by the romantic urban fiction school then in vogue. His popularity reached new heights in the 1930s, with the serialization of his best-known novel Tixiao yinyuan 啼笑因緣 [Fate in tears and laughter]. In 1949, he published Xiezuo shengya huiyi 寫作生涯回憶 [Reminiscences of a writing career], a literary memoir, and thereafter concentrated his writings on historical themes.
Works available in English:
Madam White Snake (Myra Ellis). Singapore: Federal Publications, 1981.
Shanghai Express: A Thirties Novel (William A. Lyell). Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1997.
The Eternal Love: The Story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai (S.R. Munro). Singapore; Hong Kong: Federal Publications, 1991.
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