Qian Zhongshu
Qian Zhongshu was a renowned Chinese literary scholar and writer, best known for his wit and erudition. His most famous work is the satirical novel 'Fortress Besieged'.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Fortress Besieged
The novel revolves around the protagonist, Fang Hongjian, who returns to China after failing to complete his studies in Europe. He fakes a doctoral degree to secure a teaching position and navigates through a series of comedic yet poignant social and romantic entanglements. Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous 1930s China, the story uses sharp wit and satire to explore the absurdities and complexities of traditional and modern Chinese society, as well as the human condition, through the lens of marriage, education, and familial expectations. The title metaphorically compares life and marriage to a fortress that is simultaneously under siege and difficult to escape from.
The 8726th Greatest Book of All Time
