Midnight: A Romance of China, 1930

Ziye (子夜) or in English Midnight: A Romance of China, 1930, is a 1933 novel by Chinese author Mao Dun. It is a realist depiction of life in contemporary Shanghai. In addition to the full edition, there were also abridged editions of the novel in publication.[1] The novel depicts the wealth and modernity of modern-Shanghai, influenced by foreign colonialism and capitalism. However Western modernity frightens the protagonists father, who is a member of the Chinese landed gentry from the countryside.[2]

Ziye
Working title夕阳 (Xiyang)
CountryChina
GenreRealism
Set inShanghai

Mao Dun depicts the modernity of Shanghai with purple prose, like "three 1930-model Citroens", electric lights, Browning rifles, "Grafton gauze" flannel suits. The novel also uses English terms like "beauty parlors" and a "neon" sign with the words "Light, Heat, Power!", which appears on the first page.

References
  1. "Abridged Versions of Mao Dun's Ziye (Midnight)" (PDF). fphil.uniba.sk. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
  2. "Alternative Modernities - Andrew Wachtel - Google Books". Google.com. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
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