A Brief History of Chinese Literary Criticism

This book presents a systematic exploration of ancient Chinese literary criticism, spanning from the pre-Qin period to the late Qing Dynasty. Structured chronologically into seven parts, each section comprises chapters dedicated to influential literati. The study examines the prevailing intellectual climate, sociocultural context, literary characteristics, and the evolution of literary thought across different historical stages. It highlights the transmission and transformation of ideas among various schools, offering critical insights into the works and perspectives of key literary theorists. The author provides objective commentary and contributes original interpretations that enrich scholarly understanding and serve as a valuable reference for researchers in the field of Chinese Literary Criticism.

Zhou Xunchu (1929–2024) was born in Nanhui County, Shanghai. He worked as a professor in the Department of Chinese Literature at Nanjing University, the director of Literature and History Research Museum of Jiangsu Province, a consultant of China Society of Literature of the Tang Dynasty and the Society of Ancient Chinese Literary Theory.