The Travels of Lao Can
work by Liu E
Also known as: “Laocan youji”
Quick Summary
The Travels of Lao Can (Laocan youji) is a novel by Liu E, published between 1904 and 1907. It is a social satire that critiques the limitations of China's elite and officialdom during the late Qing dynasty. The novel uses a vernacular style and follows a picaresque structure, highlighting the problems facing the dynasty and advocating for modernization through Western technology and business methods. Despite its popularity, Liu E was later exiled, where he died.12
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