Chinese Literature - Li-hua Ying 2010

HUANG FAN (1950— )
The Dictionary

HUANG FAN (1950— ). Born in Taipei, Huang Fan became publicly recognized in 1979 when he published the political short story “Lai Suo” (The Story of Lai Suo). He was one of the most influential and innovative writers in Taiwan during the 1980s. As an experiment with the narrative art, Huang often introduces real people or events into his otherwise fictitious tales.

Throughout his career, Huang’s eye is trained on the helpless “little” people who are caught in the power struggles of politicians. He also portrays social outcasts in modern urban life. Influenced by American writers such as Saul Bellow, Huang uses his writing to dissect postindustrial society and its alienating effects on humanity.