Subjectivity and Sexuality in Contemporary Chinese Feminist Writing

This book explores representations of female sexuality and subjectivity in contemporary Chinese fiction by three women writers, published from 1986 to 2000, from the perspective of poststructuralist feminism. It discusses the representative works of authors, Wang Anyi, Tie Ning and Chi Li, who are well known in the Chinese literary field. However, their works have not, to date, been analysed through the poststructuralist feminism’s notions of subjectivity, femininity and transgression. This book, then, provides detailed analysis of each writer and draws comparisons between their works to provide an extended consideration of female sexuality and subjectivity within post-Mao Chinese fiction. In this respect, this book not only offers fresh insights into the three authors’ fiction but also contributes to the feminist study of Chinese women’s writing. Additionally, the research contributes to a better understanding of contemporary Chinese culture in relation to patriarchy, misogyny, feminism, differences and resistance. It is relevant to scholars in the fields of China studies, Chinese literature, feminist literature and gender studies.

Ruttapond Swanpitak is a lecturer of Chinese Literature in the Department of Eastern Languages, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. She received her M.A. from SOAS, University of London, and her Ph.D. from The University of Sydney, Australia. Her research interests include modern and contemporary Chinese literature, gender and cultural studies, women in China, literary theory and Chinese film.