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The Commercial Press and the Modern Novels in the Literary Field Change: A Study of the Ten-volume "Novel Series"

Wen Juan   

  1. the international college of Chinese Studies at East China Normal University
  • Online:2018-03-25 Published:2018-10-19
  • About author:Wen Juan, is an associate professor in the international college of Chinese Studies at East China Normal University. Her research interests include modern novels and modern publishing institutions from 1840 to 1919, literature and education.
  • Supported by:
    the National Social Sciences Fund Youth Project (No.13CZW059)

Abstract: The "Novel Series" was one of the well-known brands of the Commercial Press. It was published between 1903-1908 and consisted of a hundred novels. It had three characteristics: diversified origins of the novels that were collected from Japan, Europe and America, a wide variety of types, and the inclusion of both classical Chinese and vernacular works. The Commercial Press was a major and influential market-oriented private press. Its selection of the titles in the Series was defined by the times, and subject to the cultural thought of the society and the needs of the post Novel Revolution readers, reflecting the literary field change in the novel publishing. The selection also enriched the literary field while having an effect on its change through the dissemination of the Series and the increasing recognition from readers.

Key words: Literary field, Commercial Press, Modern novel, Ten-volume "Novel Series"