The Three Leaps of Wang Lun: A Chinese NovelIn 1915, fourteen years before Berlin Alexanderplatz, Alfred Doblin published his first novel, an extensively researched Chinese historical extravaganza: The Three Leaps of Wang Lun. Even more remarkably, given its subject matter, the book was written in Expressionist style and is now considered the first modern German novel, as well as the first Western novel to depict a China untouched by the West. It is virtually unknown in English. Based on actual accounts of a doomed rebellion during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the late 18th century, the novel tells the story of Wang Lun, a historical martial arts master and charismatic leader of the White Lotus sect, who leads a futile revolt of the "Truly Powerless." Densely packed cities and Tibetan wastes, political intrigue and religious yearning, imperial court life and the fate of wandering outcasts are depicted in a language of enormous vigor and matchless imagination, unfolding the theme of timidity against force, and a mystical sense of the world against the realities of power. |
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Contents
1 | |
Wang Lun | 23 |
The Broken Melon | 113 |
Lord of the Yellow Earth | 279 |
The Western Paradise | 365 |
The Insurrection of Wang Lun in 1774 | 479 |
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Common terms and phrases
already arms asked beside body bowed Broken brothers brought Buddha called carried Ch’ien-lung Chao Hui Chia-ch’ing Chihli close dark door Emperor eyes face fate father fear feeling feet fell felt fields five followed four friends front gate gave girl grew ground half hands head heard held hill holy hour hundred Imperial knew land later leave light lived looked lovely monastery month morning mountains mouth Nank’ou night once passed path Peking province pulled reached rebels seemed shoulders side smiled soldiers speak spirit spoke steps stood streets sword taken temple things thought took town troops Truly Powerless turned village voice waited walked wall Wang Lun Wang’s wanted Western whole women Yellow Bell young