Popular China: Unofficial Culture in a Globalizing Society

Popular China examines unofficial cultural practices and social trends in China during the era of economic reform and globalization. The book brings together research from scholars across disciplines to analyze how everyday Chinese people engage with popular culture, entertainment, and changing social norms. The collection covers topics including television dramas, rock music, internet culture, changing sexual attitudes, and evolving gender roles in contemporary China. Contributors document how these informal cultural elements interact with and sometimes challenge official state narratives and policies. Multiple chapters explore the ways globalization and market reforms have influenced Chinese popular culture through increased exposure to international media and commerce. The research draws on fieldwork, media analysis, and cultural studies methodologies to capture transformations in urban and rural settings. This volume provides insight into the complex relationship between state power, cultural expression, and social change in reform-era China. The interplay between official and unofficial culture emerges as a key dynamic shaping Chinese society's ongoing evolution.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Perry Link's overall work: Readers value Link's direct experience and deep knowledge of Chinese culture, language, and politics. His translations and academic works receive respect for making complex topics accessible while maintaining scholarly rigor. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of Chinese linguistics and cultural concepts - First-hand insights into Chinese politics and censorship - Balanced perspective combining academic analysis with personal observations What readers disliked: - Some found his academic writing style dense - A few readers noted his political commentary can overshadow linguistic analysis - Technical language barriers for non-academic readers Ratings/Reviews: - "An Anatomy of Chinese" averages 4.2/5 on Goodreads (42 ratings) - "The Uses of Literature" rates 4.1/5 on Amazon (6 reviews) - "The Tiananmen Papers" receives 4.3/5 on Goodreads (89 ratings) One reader notes: "Link excels at breaking down complex linguistic concepts for English speakers while preserving necessary technical detail." Another comments: "His political analysis sometimes feels heavy-handed, but his linguistic insights are invaluable."

China Pop: How Soap Operas, Tabloids, and Bestsellers Are Transforming a Culture by Jianying Zha Examines the transformation of Chinese popular culture through media, entertainment, and consumer trends in post-reform China.

Chinese Street Life by Michael Dutton Documents the intersection of politics, commerce, and daily life in contemporary Chinese urban spaces through street-level observations.

From Underground to Independent: Alternative Film Culture in Contemporary China by Paul Pickowicz and Yingjin Zhang Maps the evolution of independent Chinese cinema and its role in expressing unofficial cultural narratives.

China's New Cultural Scene: A Handbook of Changes by Richard Kraus Charts the changes in Chinese cultural production across literature, art, music, and entertainment since the 1980s market reforms.

The New Chinese Documentary Film Movement: For the Public Record by Chris Berry, Lu Xinyu, and Lisa Rofel Analyzes how independent documentary filmmakers capture unofficial perspectives of contemporary Chinese society and culture.

🔸 Perry Link is a noted China scholar who was blacklisted by the Chinese government in 1996, banned from entering the country due to his writings on human rights and democracy in China. 🔸 The book explores how everyday Chinese citizens navigate between official state culture and unofficial popular culture, including topics like underground music, street vendors, and internet culture. 🔸 During research for this and other works, Link conducted extensive interviews with Chinese intellectuals and dissidents, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo. 🔸 The term "popular culture" in China has a different connotation than in the West, as it often refers to grassroots activities that exist in opposition to or outside of state-sanctioned culture. 🔸 The book was published in 2002, capturing a crucial period when China was rapidly opening to global influences while still maintaining strict control over domestic cultural expression.