Masculinity Besieged?: Issues of Modernity and Male Subjectivity in Chinese Literature of the Late Twentieth Century

Rating:
Summary: major flaw: heterosexism
Review: This book claims that it is on Chinese masculinity, but it gives no room to homosexuality in Chinese literature, as (not) shown in its index. It is very confusing. If this book is so into the crisis of Chinese masculinity, why does it entirely overlook homosexuals in China? Such a lack is even more puzzling, when the reader finds that thiis book in question heavily relies on Kaja Silverman's famous work "Male Subjectivity at the Margins." Silverman's book is so concerned with gay men and their representation. However, Zhong Xueping, the writer who relies on Silverman, simply ignores the possibility of gay representation in the Chinese context. This lack needs explanation. Or, it is a symptom of heterosexism of the seemingly gender-studies-concerned book.

Rating:
Summary: fatal mistake
Review: This book makes a fatal mistake. It discusses Wang Shuo's novella ANIMAL VICIOUS and Jian Wen's film adaption at the same time. Of course, it is OK. However, the writer seems to be so confused herself that she keeps turning to the film version when she is supposed to discuss the original novella. It is OK too. But in the bibliography of the book, there is only the entry for the novella, but none for the movie. In other words, the author seems to imply (and it seems that she believes so) that the film and the novella are the same text. The conflation of the film and the novella is a symptom of the scholar's absent-mindedness. It is not professional. Also, I agree with the other reader: this book is surprisingly heterosexual-centered. Ignorance of any gay presence in Chinese lit at large is shocking.