Eileen Chang | Brief Biography
Eileen Chang | Brief Biography
Eileen Chang, also known as Zhang Ailing or Zhang Ying, was a Chinese author and screenwriter born on September 30, 1920, in Shanghai, China. She was one of the most influential Chinese writers of the 20th century, known for her works that explored love, desire, and the complexities of relationships.
Chang was born into a wealthy family, but her privileged upbringing was interrupted by the Sino-Japanese War and the subsequent Chinese Civil War. She was sent to live in Hong Kong, where she attended school, and later returned to Shanghai to attend university. It was there that she began writing and published her first short story in 1940.
In 1942, Chang moved to Hong Kong and married the writer Hu Lancheng. However, the marriage was short-lived, and she divorced Hu in 1945. Despite the setback, Chang continued to write and publish, establishing herself as a leading figure in the world of Chinese literature.
Chang’s works are known for their frank depictions of desire, love, and the complex emotional landscapes of relationships. Her writing style was often described as modern, unconventional, and lyrical, and she is considered one of the pioneers of modern Chinese literature.
One of her most famous works, “Lust, Caution,” was published in 1979 and is considered a classic of Chinese literature. The novel is set against the backdrop of Shanghai during the Sino-Japanese War and explores the themes of love, desire, and the consequences of resistance against Japanese occupation.
In 1955, Chang moved to the United States, where she lived for the rest of her life. During her time in the US, she continued to write and publish, but her work was often criticized for its frank depictions of sexuality and relationships. Despite the criticism, her works continued to be widely read and admired.
Chang passed away on September 8, 1995, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 74. Her legacy continues to be celebrated and her works remain widely read and influential to this day. 0 0 0.
Sources:
“Eileen Chang.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica.
“Eileen Chang.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.
“Eileen Chang.” Chinese Literature: An Encyclopedia, edited by Wilt Idema and Lloyd Haft, vol. 1, Routledge, 2014, pp. 85-86.
“Eileen Chang.” Modern Chinese Literature and Culture, edited by Timothy Cheek, vol. 18, Duke University Press, 2006, pp. 1-19. ***
N.B. The article originally belongs to the book entitled ‘Biographies of Writers Around the World‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
Books of Biography by M. Menonimus:
- The World Writers-Brief Biographies
- Introduction to World Writers
- Introduction to World Personalities
- Love of Reputed Persons
- Brief Biographies of Prominent Bengali Writers
- Brief Biographies of Eminent Monarchs
- Brief Biographies of Ancient Thinkers and Writers
- Brief Biographies of Eminent Generals and Conquerors
- Biographies of Writers Around the World ..
Books of Literary Criticism by M. Menonimus:
- World Short Story Criticism
- World Poetry Criticism
- World Drama Criticism
- World Novel Criticism
- World Essay Criticism
- Indian English Poetry Criticism
- Indian English Poets and Poetry Chief Features
- Emily Dickinson’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Walt Whitman’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Critical Essays on English Poetry
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: Return of the Spirit-An Analytical Study
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: ‘Yawmiyyat Naib Fil Arayaf’-An Analytical Study
- Analytical Studies of Some Arabic Short Stories
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Pre-Islamic Period (500 AD-622 AD)
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Early Islamic Period (622 AD-661 AD)
- Reviews on William Shakespeare’s Works
- Reviews of Charles Dickens’ Works
- Reviews of John Milton’s Literary Works
- Reviews of Some Iconic Travelogues …
Additional Searches:
