SOURCE: “Beyond Transient Applause,” translated by Eva Hung and D. E. Pollard, in Renditions, Nos. 35 & 36, Spring & Autumn, 1991, pp. 299-304.

In the following essay, Ji Ji discusses magic realism in the works of contemporary Taiwanese writers.

I

In any age works of literature are created against a unique background with a specific emphasis and appeal. The impact of literature on men, be it great or insignificant, is a reflection of society's pulsation; the two are inextricably linked.

On the whole, Taiwan has witnessed a surge in literary activities in recent years, and compared with the 1960s and 1970s, the development of literature has been more complex and multi-faceted. However, whether the overall standard of literary works has improved correspondingly is a question that remains to be answered.

I am not a pessimist as far as literature is concerned; I have always been a believer and an enthusiast. But one...