From Nostalgia to Reflection: An Exploration of The Song of Everlasting Sorrow by Wang Anyi

Abstract

Wang Anyi is one of the most remarkable figures in the Chinese literary scene of recent decades. Her extensive writings, covering a rich variety of pieces, include the 1995 novel The Song of Everlasting Sorrow, which holds a unique place in Chinese literature as a magnificent portrait of life in Shanghai over four decades of the twentieth century. This masterpiece has generally been related to the nostalgia wave of the 1990s that has echoed in literary and other cultural spheres. However, this is not merely a journey to the past, but also, and notably, an exploration of China today and a lucid reflection on its future. Taking nostalgia as a reference point for analysis, the novel uncovers some of the more distinctive features of Wang Anyi’s particular literary universe. Wang’s view of history as a discourse in which time and memory are inextricably linked provides profound insights into the social evolution of China in the twentieth century, and her very singular evocation of the city of Shanghai reflects an outstanding writing style and exemplifies the luxuriance and diversity of contemporary Chinese literature.