Sabina Knight 桑稟華
@spoem.bsky.social
* #Chinese #Literature: A Very Short Introduction * (Oxford)
& *The Heart of Time* (Harvard)
Translator & Interpreter: En/Fr/繁中/简中/Ru
雙語 @SabinaKnight.bsky.social
Care ethicist @FairbankCenter
#PIPfellow @NCUSCR.bsky.social
Prof Emerita WLT @SmithCollege
& *The Heart of Time* (Harvard)
Translator & Interpreter: En/Fr/繁中/简中/Ru
雙語 @SabinaKnight.bsky.social
Care ethicist @FairbankCenter
#PIPfellow @NCUSCR.bsky.social
Prof Emerita WLT @SmithCollege
Pinned
Sabina Knight 桑稟華
@spoem.bsky.social
· Oct 30
Yu Hua: Fictional Cities | China Books Review
The bestselling Chinese novelist foregrounds individual suffering in the chaos of modern Chinese history. In his latest novel in translation, gratuitous violence shows the limits of fiction.
chinabooksreview.com
@chinabooksreview.com just published my review of Yu Hua's 余华 *City of Fiction*《文城》(2021, tr. 2025).
"Along with other contemporary Chinese works with such graphic violence, Yu’s novel does political work by purging the traumas of China’s bloody 20th century."
chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/30/f...
"Along with other contemporary Chinese works with such graphic violence, Yu’s novel does political work by purging the traumas of China’s bloody 20th century."
chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/30/f...
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
👇 Wide ranging and insightful piece by @spoem.bsky.social that places Yu Hua's latest work into the context of his previous works of fiction and writings by other important figures of his generation, via @chinabooksreview.com
@chinabooksreview.com just published my review of Yu Hua's 余华 *City of Fiction*《文城》(2021, tr. 2025).
"Along with other contemporary Chinese works with such graphic violence, Yu’s novel does political work by purging the traumas of China’s bloody 20th century."
chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/30/f...
"Along with other contemporary Chinese works with such graphic violence, Yu’s novel does political work by purging the traumas of China’s bloody 20th century."
chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/30/f...
Yu Hua: Fictional Cities | China Books Review
The bestselling Chinese novelist foregrounds individual suffering in the chaos of modern Chinese history. In his latest novel in translation, gratuitous violence shows the limits of fiction.
chinabooksreview.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:42 PM
👇 Wide ranging and insightful piece by @spoem.bsky.social that places Yu Hua's latest work into the context of his previous works of fiction and writings by other important figures of his generation, via @chinabooksreview.com
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
@chinabooksreview.com just published my review of Yu Hua's 余华 *City of Fiction*《文城》(2021, tr. 2025).
"Along with other contemporary Chinese works with such graphic violence, Yu’s novel does political work by purging the traumas of China’s bloody 20th century."
chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/30/f...
"Along with other contemporary Chinese works with such graphic violence, Yu’s novel does political work by purging the traumas of China’s bloody 20th century."
chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/30/f...
Yu Hua: Fictional Cities | China Books Review
The bestselling Chinese novelist foregrounds individual suffering in the chaos of modern Chinese history. In his latest novel in translation, gratuitous violence shows the limits of fiction.
chinabooksreview.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:09 PM
@chinabooksreview.com just published my review of Yu Hua's 余华 *City of Fiction*《文城》(2021, tr. 2025).
"Along with other contemporary Chinese works with such graphic violence, Yu’s novel does political work by purging the traumas of China’s bloody 20th century."
chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/30/f...
"Along with other contemporary Chinese works with such graphic violence, Yu’s novel does political work by purging the traumas of China’s bloody 20th century."
chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/30/f...
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
* #Chinese #Literature: A Very Short Introduction* 🀄📚
* The most accessible guide to Chinese literature available––compact but textured & far-reaching.
* Serves as a window on Chinese culture from a philosophical, comparative approach.
"a marvel of economy, substance, and style."
* The most accessible guide to Chinese literature available––compact but textured & far-reaching.
* Serves as a window on Chinese culture from a philosophical, comparative approach.
"a marvel of economy, substance, and style."
November 19, 2024 at 3:06 PM
* #Chinese #Literature: A Very Short Introduction* 🀄📚
* The most accessible guide to Chinese literature available––compact but textured & far-reaching.
* Serves as a window on Chinese culture from a philosophical, comparative approach.
"a marvel of economy, substance, and style."
* The most accessible guide to Chinese literature available––compact but textured & far-reaching.
* Serves as a window on Chinese culture from a philosophical, comparative approach.
"a marvel of economy, substance, and style."
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
"Short #Stories from #Taiwan" 🀄📚
My @fivebooks.com recommendations for #Chinese -language fiction in English translation.
Link: fivebooks.com/best-books/s...
My @fivebooks.com recommendations for #Chinese -language fiction in English translation.
Link: fivebooks.com/best-books/s...
April 15, 2025 at 2:21 PM
"Short #Stories from #Taiwan" 🀄📚
My @fivebooks.com recommendations for #Chinese -language fiction in English translation.
Link: fivebooks.com/best-books/s...
My @fivebooks.com recommendations for #Chinese -language fiction in English translation.
Link: fivebooks.com/best-books/s...
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
Thanks for writing this! I especially appreciated the tour of Yu's other novels in the second half. I've only read The Seventh Day, so I found this overview to be very helpful!
October 30, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Thanks for writing this! I especially appreciated the tour of Yu's other novels in the second half. I've only read The Seventh Day, so I found this overview to be very helpful!
@chinabooksreview.com just published my review of Yu Hua's 余华 *City of Fiction*《文城》(2021, tr. 2025).
"Along with other contemporary Chinese works with such graphic violence, Yu’s novel does political work by purging the traumas of China’s bloody 20th century."
chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/30/f...
"Along with other contemporary Chinese works with such graphic violence, Yu’s novel does political work by purging the traumas of China’s bloody 20th century."
chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/30/f...
Yu Hua: Fictional Cities | China Books Review
The bestselling Chinese novelist foregrounds individual suffering in the chaos of modern Chinese history. In his latest novel in translation, gratuitous violence shows the limits of fiction.
chinabooksreview.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:09 PM
@chinabooksreview.com just published my review of Yu Hua's 余华 *City of Fiction*《文城》(2021, tr. 2025).
"Along with other contemporary Chinese works with such graphic violence, Yu’s novel does political work by purging the traumas of China’s bloody 20th century."
chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/30/f...
"Along with other contemporary Chinese works with such graphic violence, Yu’s novel does political work by purging the traumas of China’s bloody 20th century."
chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/30/f...
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
The bestselling Chinese novelist Yu Hua foregrounds individual suffering in the chaos of modern Chinese history. In his latest novel in translation, gratuitous violence shows the limits of fiction.
Read Sabina Knight's review of "City of Fiction": chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/30/f...
Read Sabina Knight's review of "City of Fiction": chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/30/f...
October 30, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The bestselling Chinese novelist Yu Hua foregrounds individual suffering in the chaos of modern Chinese history. In his latest novel in translation, gratuitous violence shows the limits of fiction.
Read Sabina Knight's review of "City of Fiction": chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/30/f...
Read Sabina Knight's review of "City of Fiction": chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/30/f...
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
फाउंड दिस वर्क अबाउट चाइनीज लिटरचर अ कम्प्लीट गाइड एण्ड रिएलि एनजोएड आईटी। ई फाउंड आईटी एवर सो प्लीज़िंग तो रीड एण्ड आईटी वास सच अ वन्डर्फल वेल्थ ऑफ नालिज पककेड ईंटों सच अ समाल बुक! इटस अ Pocket Book डॉन्ट यू नो। ऊसएरफुल फॉर लॉंग ट्रेन जौरनेस सो इफ यू प्लान ऑन थे ट्रांस-छिन नेपाली एक्स्प्रेस देन टेक दिस विद यू!
***** five stars*****
***** five stars*****
* #Chinese #Literature: A Very Short Introduction* 🀄📚
* The most accessible guide to Chinese literature available––compact but textured & far-reaching.
* Serves as a window on Chinese culture from a philosophical, comparative approach.
"a marvel of economy, substance, and style."
* The most accessible guide to Chinese literature available––compact but textured & far-reaching.
* Serves as a window on Chinese culture from a philosophical, comparative approach.
"a marvel of economy, substance, and style."
October 23, 2025 at 6:17 AM
फाउंड दिस वर्क अबाउट चाइनीज लिटरचर अ कम्प्लीट गाइड एण्ड रिएलि एनजोएड आईटी। ई फाउंड आईटी एवर सो प्लीज़िंग तो रीड एण्ड आईटी वास सच अ वन्डर्फल वेल्थ ऑफ नालिज पककेड ईंटों सच अ समाल बुक! इटस अ Pocket Book डॉन्ट यू नो। ऊसएरफुल फॉर लॉंग ट्रेन जौरनेस सो इफ यू प्लान ऑन थे ट्रांस-छिन नेपाली एक्स्प्रेस देन टेक दिस विद यू!
***** five stars*****
***** five stars*****
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
Engaging & appreciative review at @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social of two works of literature from the Ming era lareviewofbooks.org/article/in-t... cc @chowleen.bsky.social @bairuiwen.bsky.social @spoem.bsky.social
In the Late Ming, Literature Is Survival | Los Angeles Review of Books
Mahika Dhar reviews two classics of Chinese literature: Kong Shangren’s “The Peach Blossom Fan” and Zhang Yingyu’s “More Swindles from the Late Ming.”
lareviewofbooks.org
August 30, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Engaging & appreciative review at @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social of two works of literature from the Ming era lareviewofbooks.org/article/in-t... cc @chowleen.bsky.social @bairuiwen.bsky.social @spoem.bsky.social
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
I'm trying to build a feed that highlights the diverse voices in the literary world, particularly those involved in literary translation (all language combinations).
So, #literarytranslators out there, help me complete this #starterpack and let me know if you'd like to be added.
go.bsky.app/SurjbAj
So, #literarytranslators out there, help me complete this #starterpack and let me know if you'd like to be added.
go.bsky.app/SurjbAj
November 17, 2024 at 10:26 AM
I'm trying to build a feed that highlights the diverse voices in the literary world, particularly those involved in literary translation (all language combinations).
So, #literarytranslators out there, help me complete this #starterpack and let me know if you'd like to be added.
go.bsky.app/SurjbAj
So, #literarytranslators out there, help me complete this #starterpack and let me know if you'd like to be added.
go.bsky.app/SurjbAj
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
"Short #Stories from #Taiwan" 🀄📚
My @fivebooks.com recommendations for #Chinese -language fiction in English translation.
Link: fivebooks.com/best-books/s...
My @fivebooks.com recommendations for #Chinese -language fiction in English translation.
Link: fivebooks.com/best-books/s...
April 15, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
"The rightwing movement against #empathy seeks to dismantle & discredit one of the essential tools for any society – our capacity to recognize & respond to #suffering. We should see the campaign against empathy . . . for what it is: a flashing red light warning of #fascist intent."
@theguardian.com
@theguardian.com
Loathe thy neighbor: Elon Musk and the Christian right are waging war on empathy
Trump’s actions are irreconcilable with Christian compassion. But an unholy alliance seeks to cast empathy as a parasitic plague
www.theguardian.com
April 13, 2025 at 5:27 PM
"The rightwing movement against #empathy seeks to dismantle & discredit one of the essential tools for any society – our capacity to recognize & respond to #suffering. We should see the campaign against empathy . . . for what it is: a flashing red light warning of #fascist intent."
@theguardian.com
@theguardian.com
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
There used to be a social democratic faction in the CCP. Time to rehabilitate that tendency, introduce welfare to put a floor under wages, discourage excessive saving and increase consumption.
"600 million #Chinese take home less than $140 a month and have minimum social benefits, a major reason they save so much and consume less than the #economy needs."
–– Li Yuan @nytimes.com
–– Li Yuan @nytimes.com
In U.S.- China Tariffs Standoff, Trump Showed Xi He Has Limits
Xi Jinping, who rules with absolute authority, has shown he is willing to let the Chinese people endure hardship. President Trump revealed he has limits.
www.nytimes.com
April 13, 2025 at 4:58 PM
There used to be a social democratic faction in the CCP. Time to rehabilitate that tendency, introduce welfare to put a floor under wages, discourage excessive saving and increase consumption.
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
Created a Taiwan Studies Starter Pack for folks coming from Twitter. Let me know if you ought to be on here! go.bsky.app/TG2GBbz
November 16, 2024 at 6:21 PM
Created a Taiwan Studies Starter Pack for folks coming from Twitter. Let me know if you ought to be on here! go.bsky.app/TG2GBbz
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
One of my current projects explores #non-Han #fiction & #poetry.
On the former, I wrote an article for *World #Literature Today*.
I've given talks on the broader project. I'm open to giving more.
🀄📚 www.worldliteraturetoday.org/2022/january...
On the former, I wrote an article for *World #Literature Today*.
I've given talks on the broader project. I'm open to giving more.
🀄📚 www.worldliteraturetoday.org/2022/january...
China’s Minority Fiction, by Sabina Knight
Multiethnic fiction speaks volumes about Chinese attitudes toward minorities, as well as these peoples’ historical understandings, their search for roots, and longings for cultural survival.
www.worldliteraturetoday.org
November 17, 2024 at 11:08 PM
One of my current projects explores #non-Han #fiction & #poetry.
On the former, I wrote an article for *World #Literature Today*.
I've given talks on the broader project. I'm open to giving more.
🀄📚 www.worldliteraturetoday.org/2022/january...
On the former, I wrote an article for *World #Literature Today*.
I've given talks on the broader project. I'm open to giving more.
🀄📚 www.worldliteraturetoday.org/2022/january...
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
I need to pick a couple of these up!
Five Books: Short Stories from Taiwan, recommended by Sabina Knight
fivebooks.com/best-books/s...
Five Books: Short Stories from Taiwan, recommended by Sabina Knight
fivebooks.com/best-books/s...
January 18, 2024 at 1:24 AM
I need to pick a couple of these up!
Five Books: Short Stories from Taiwan, recommended by Sabina Knight
fivebooks.com/best-books/s...
Five Books: Short Stories from Taiwan, recommended by Sabina Knight
fivebooks.com/best-books/s...
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
In #China, gov legitimacy depends on economic stability.
Econ uncertainty threatened CCP legitimacy until Trump's #tariffs & trade war.
Now the Party can blame econ troubles on U.S. "efforts to contain China -- rather than bad governance," as @chinalawtranslate.bsky.social writes on @nytimes.com:
Econ uncertainty threatened CCP legitimacy until Trump's #tariffs & trade war.
Now the Party can blame econ troubles on U.S. "efforts to contain China -- rather than bad governance," as @chinalawtranslate.bsky.social writes on @nytimes.com:
Trump Showed His Pain Point in His Standoff With China
www.nytimes.com
April 12, 2025 at 4:07 PM
In #China, gov legitimacy depends on economic stability.
Econ uncertainty threatened CCP legitimacy until Trump's #tariffs & trade war.
Now the Party can blame econ troubles on U.S. "efforts to contain China -- rather than bad governance," as @chinalawtranslate.bsky.social writes on @nytimes.com:
Econ uncertainty threatened CCP legitimacy until Trump's #tariffs & trade war.
Now the Party can blame econ troubles on U.S. "efforts to contain China -- rather than bad governance," as @chinalawtranslate.bsky.social writes on @nytimes.com:
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
"600 million #Chinese take home less than $140 a month and have minimum social benefits, a major reason they save so much and consume less than the #economy needs."
–– Li Yuan @nytimes.com
–– Li Yuan @nytimes.com
In U.S.- China Tariffs Standoff, Trump Showed Xi He Has Limits
Xi Jinping, who rules with absolute authority, has shown he is willing to let the Chinese people endure hardship. President Trump revealed he has limits.
www.nytimes.com
April 13, 2025 at 4:50 PM
"600 million #Chinese take home less than $140 a month and have minimum social benefits, a major reason they save so much and consume less than the #economy needs."
–– Li Yuan @nytimes.com
–– Li Yuan @nytimes.com
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
Update: I've submitted multiple appeals.
No answer.
Can anyone help me reverse X's #censorship?
( #Chinese #dissidents and others still use X. )
No answer.
Can anyone help me reverse X's #censorship?
( #Chinese #dissidents and others still use X. )
X blocked my #Chinese account.
A friend suggested that #China may have objected to my posts, especially my posts about #Uyghurs and #Tibetans, as well my article (and talks?) on their and other ethnic " #minorities'" longings for cultural survival.
I did not violate X's rules, I'm pretty sure.
A friend suggested that #China may have objected to my posts, especially my posts about #Uyghurs and #Tibetans, as well my article (and talks?) on their and other ethnic " #minorities'" longings for cultural survival.
I did not violate X's rules, I'm pretty sure.
March 6, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Update: I've submitted multiple appeals.
No answer.
Can anyone help me reverse X's #censorship?
( #Chinese #dissidents and others still use X. )
No answer.
Can anyone help me reverse X's #censorship?
( #Chinese #dissidents and others still use X. )
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
Never met Prof. Gregory in person, but I’ve learned so much through his books, especially _Tsung-mi and the Sinification of Buddhism_ and _Sudden and Gradual _. All students of Chinese Buddhism in the anglophone world live in his shadow. The end of an era.
#BuddhistStudies
We are saddened to learn that Professor Peter Gregory (1945-2025) passed on March 19th, after a heart attack.
Peter made the world of a better place. May his memory be a blessing.
____
Madhyamaka & Methodology Symposium @smithcollege.bsky.social
youtu.be/AGNYS7-TRRY?...
We are saddened to learn that Professor Peter Gregory (1945-2025) passed on March 19th, after a heart attack.
Peter made the world of a better place. May his memory be a blessing.
____
Madhyamaka & Methodology Symposium @smithcollege.bsky.social
youtu.be/AGNYS7-TRRY?...
Madhyamaka & Methodology Symposium: Panel 6 (Peter Gregory, Smith College) (video 26 of 29)
YouTube video by Smith College Buddhist Studies
youtu.be
March 24, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Never met Prof. Gregory in person, but I’ve learned so much through his books, especially _Tsung-mi and the Sinification of Buddhism_ and _Sudden and Gradual _. All students of Chinese Buddhism in the anglophone world live in his shadow. The end of an era.
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
🧵2/ #China & #ForeignPolicy expert @tom-kellogg.bsky.social on @profsaunders.bsky.social's overview.
- Lasting policy's reliance on rigorous domestic debate
- GOP's turn away from expertise
- Rise of hyper-partisanship
- long, slow decline of Congress (as an institutional player)
- . . . Tom's 🧵:
- Lasting policy's reliance on rigorous domestic debate
- GOP's turn away from expertise
- Rise of hyper-partisanship
- long, slow decline of Congress (as an institutional player)
- . . . Tom's 🧵:
I'm a latecomer to @profsaunders.bsky.social Spring 2024 article in @foreignaffairs.com on politics and foreign policy, suggesting we need more of it! A must-read -- let me offer some quick thoughts. (1)
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Politics Can’t Stop at the Water’s Edge
The right way to fight over foreign policy.
www.foreignaffairs.com
April 12, 2025 at 3:16 PM
🧵2/ #China & #ForeignPolicy expert @tom-kellogg.bsky.social on @profsaunders.bsky.social's overview.
- Lasting policy's reliance on rigorous domestic debate
- GOP's turn away from expertise
- Rise of hyper-partisanship
- long, slow decline of Congress (as an institutional player)
- . . . Tom's 🧵:
- Lasting policy's reliance on rigorous domestic debate
- GOP's turn away from expertise
- Rise of hyper-partisanship
- long, slow decline of Congress (as an institutional player)
- . . . Tom's 🧵:
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
Advice-wise: Don't think "what risks am I willing to take," think "how willing am I to put the person I'm talking to at risk?"
Lines shift unpredictably and you cannot accurately model the threat to you, the other guy, or the people in your contact lists. Don't fuck things up for other people.
Lines shift unpredictably and you cannot accurately model the threat to you, the other guy, or the people in your contact lists. Don't fuck things up for other people.
January 22, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Advice-wise: Don't think "what risks am I willing to take," think "how willing am I to put the person I'm talking to at risk?"
Lines shift unpredictably and you cannot accurately model the threat to you, the other guy, or the people in your contact lists. Don't fuck things up for other people.
Lines shift unpredictably and you cannot accurately model the threat to you, the other guy, or the people in your contact lists. Don't fuck things up for other people.
Reposted by Sabina Knight 桑稟華
I'd add: Authoritarianism doesn't always look like you think it does.
The image is a public constantly straining under the chains of oppression, but it is very possible for the majority to enjoy comfortable, affluent lives while freedoms like speech are eroded, and others face blunter oppression.
The image is a public constantly straining under the chains of oppression, but it is very possible for the majority to enjoy comfortable, affluent lives while freedoms like speech are eroded, and others face blunter oppression.
Advice-wise: Don't think "what risks am I willing to take," think "how willing am I to put the person I'm talking to at risk?"
Lines shift unpredictably and you cannot accurately model the threat to you, the other guy, or the people in your contact lists. Don't fuck things up for other people.
Lines shift unpredictably and you cannot accurately model the threat to you, the other guy, or the people in your contact lists. Don't fuck things up for other people.
January 24, 2025 at 3:37 PM
I'd add: Authoritarianism doesn't always look like you think it does.
The image is a public constantly straining under the chains of oppression, but it is very possible for the majority to enjoy comfortable, affluent lives while freedoms like speech are eroded, and others face blunter oppression.
The image is a public constantly straining under the chains of oppression, but it is very possible for the majority to enjoy comfortable, affluent lives while freedoms like speech are eroded, and others face blunter oppression.