In these seven essays, Chen Pingyuan describes the evolution of the fictional genre during the transitional period of late Qing and May Fourth. In a broader perspective, he addresses the cultural changes that took place in these challenging times.

Dans ces sept essais, Chen Pingyuan etudie l'evolution du genre romanesque lors de la periode de transition de la fin des Qing et du 4 mai et evoque de facon plus large les changements culturels survenus a cette epoque charniere.