China Book Club: 'The Real Story of Ah-Q and Other Tales' by Lu Xun
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Probably the most famous and certainly the most quoted Chinese author of the past century, Lu Xun was an essayist and short story writer who portrayed the superstition, poverty and complacency of late imperial China.
He pioneered the use of vernacular Chinese, as opposed to classical Chinese, and after his death in 1937 his reputation grew exponentially. He is probably the most studied writer of modern China, and these stories include 'Diary of a Madman', which satirises feudalism, and 'The Real Story of Ah Q', which shines a light on poverty and injustice.