Lao She
(1899–1966), Chinese author and playwright. Lao She, pen name for Shu Qingchun, was one of modern China's most celebrated humorists; his satirical novels, short stories, and plays are highly appreciated. He is also renowned for his sympathy with the underprivileged. After graduating from Beijing Teacher's College, in 1924 he went to England, where he taught Mandarin Chinese, studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies, and was inspired by reading the novels of Charles Dickens. When he returned to China in 1930, Lao had already written three novels and had achieved a reputation as a humorous writer, and he continued to write while teaching. By his death in 1966 in the early stages of the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), Lao had written more than twenty plays in praise of the Communist Chinese regime. Among his most famous works are the 1938 novel Luotuo Xiangzi (Xiangzi the Camel, also known as Rickshaw Boy) and the 1957 play Chaguan (Teahouse).
Further Reading
Kao, George, ed. (1980) Two Writers and the Cultural Revolution: Lao She and Chen Jo-hsi. Hong Kong: Chinese University Press.
Wang, David Der-wei. (1992) Fictional Realism in Twentieth- Century China: Mao Dun, Lao She, Shen Congwen. New York: Columbia University Press.
This is the complete article, containing 199 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page).
