Chinese Journal of Literary Criticism

No.4, 2024

 

Achievements and Pitfalls of Chinese Science Fiction (1991-2023)

(Abstract)

 

Lü Chao

 

Over the past 30 years, Chinese science fiction has made significant strides, driven by diverse forces. As the community of science fiction writers has grown, an increasing number of works have focused on exploring local culture, striving to tell Chinese science fiction stories in a Chinese narrative. The genre’s distinctive features have become more pronounced, fostering a vibrant science fiction culture with achievements comparable to those of serious literature. However, this burgeoning interest also brings hidden concerns: the lack of a flourishing array of competing science fiction magazines, the pursuit of immediate gains in book publishing, and a gradual weakening of self-reflective critique.