The Three Leaps Of Wang Lun (Paperback)

C.D. Godwin

ISBN 10: 962996564X / ISBN 13: 9789629965648

Published by The Chinese University Press, Sha Tin, 2015

About this Item

Paperback. An epic from the author of the best-selling Berlin Alexanderplatz, this was Alfred D blin's first book, also known as the first Western novel to depict China before its contact with Europeans.In 1915, fourteen years before Berlin Alexanderplatz, Alfred D blin published his first novel, an extensively researched Chinese historical extravaganza- The Three Leaps of Wang Lun. Even more remarkably, given its subject matter, the book was written in Expressionist style and is now considered the first modern German novel, as well as the first Western novel to depict a China untouched by the West. It is virtually unknown in English. Based on actual accounts of a doomed rebellion during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the late 18th century, the novel tells the story of Wang Lun, a historical martial arts master and charismatic leader of the White Lotus sect, who leads a futile revolt of the "Truly Powerless." Densely packed cities and Tibetan wastes, political intrigue and religious yearning, imperial court life and the fate of wandering outcasts are depicted in a language of enormous vigor and matchless imagination, unfolding the theme of timidity against force, and a mystical sense of the world against the realities of power. Based on actual accounts of a doomed rebellion during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the late 18th century, the novel tells the story of Wang Lun, a historical martial arts master and charismatic leader of the White Lotus sect, who leads a futile revolt of the "Truly Powerless." Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9789629965648

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Three Leaps Of Wang Lun (Paperback)
• Publisher: The Chinese University Press, Sha Tin
• Publication Date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 962996564X
• ISBN 13: 9789629965648
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

In 1915, fourteen years before Berlin Alexanderplatz, Alfred Döblin published his first novel, an extensively researched Chinese historical extravaganza: The Three Leaps of Wang Lun. Even more remarkably, given its subject matter, the book was written in Expressionist style and is now considered the first modern German novel, as well as the first Western novel to depict a China untouched by the West. It is virtually unknown in English. Based on actual accounts of a doomed rebellion during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the late 18th century, the novel tells the story of Wang Lun, a historical martial arts master and charismatic leader of the White Lotus sect, who leads a futile revolt of the "Truly Powerless." Densely packed cities and Tibetan wastes, political intrigue and religious yearning, imperial court life and the fate of wandering outcasts are depicted in a language of enormous vigor and matchless imagination, unfolding the theme of timidity against force, and a mystical sense of the world against the realities of power.

About the Author

Alfred Döblin (1878-1957) was a novelist, essayist, neurologist, and the leading figure of German Expressionist writing. He is best known for his novel Berlin Alexanderplatz, which was adapted into the acclaimed television series by Rainer Werner Fassbinder in 1980.

C. D. Godwin studied German and Chinese in Edinburgh and Hong Kong. He worked in Hong Kong and China for many years, and now divides his time between England and Beijing. He is preparing an English translation of Döblin's South American trilogy Land without Death.