Yao Xueyin (Chinese: 姚雪垠; pinyin: Yáo Xuěyín; 10 October 1910 – 29 April 1999) was a Chinese novelist who was a member of China Writers Association.[1] Yao was a member of the 5th, 6th, and 7th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.[2][3][4][5] Yao used his fortune posthumously to institute the Yao Xueyin Historical Novel Prize (姚雪垠长篇历史小说奖).

Yao Xueyin
Yao Xueyin, 1949
Yao Xueyin, 1949
Native name
姚雪垠
BornYao Guansan (姚冠三)
(1910-10-10)10 October 1910
Dengzhou, Henan, China
Died29 April 1999(1999-04-29) (aged 88)
Beijing, China
Pen nameXuehen (雪痕)
Xue ()
Chensi (沉思)
Yao Dongbai (姚东白)
OccupationNovelist
LanguageChinese
Alma materHenan University
Period1935–1999
GenreNovel
SubjectHistorical novel
Notable worksLi Zicheng
Notable awardsMao Dun Literature Prize
1982 Li Zicheng
SpouseWang Meicai
Children4

Biography

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Yao was born into a family of landlord background in Dengzhou, Henan in 1910. In 1930, Yao was expelled for taking part in student movement from Henan University. In 1940s, Yao started to write the novel Li Zicheng.[2][3]

In 1950s. Yao worked in Wuhan, and shortly taught at Central China Normal University. In 1957, Yao was labeled as a rightist by the government and he was sent to a farm to work. In 1961, he was rehabilitated by Mao Zedong, and he returned to Wuhan.[2][3]

In 1963, Yao published his novel Li Zicheng volume 1 by the China Youth Publishing House (中国青年出版社).[2][3]

During the Cultural Revolution, his novel Li Zicheng was denounced as a "giant poisonous weed". He was attacked by the Red Guards, but was protected from physical harm by Mao Zedong.[2][3]

In 1977, Yao published his novel Li Zicheng volume 2, which won him the first-time Mao Dun Literature Prize, a prestigious literary award in China.[2][3]

In 1999, Yao died in Beijing Fuxing Hospital (北京复兴医院).[2][3]

Works

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Novellas

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  • Niu Quande and his Carrots (牛全德和红萝卜)

Long novels

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  • Li Zicheng volume 1 (李自成(第一卷))
  • Li Zicheng volume 2 (李自成(第二卷))
  • Li Zicheng volume 3 (李自成(第三卷))
  • Li Zicheng volume 4 (李自成(第四卷))
  • Li Zicheng volume 5 (李自成(第五卷))
  • When Spring Comes (春暖花开的时候)
  • A Long Night (长夜)

Personal life

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At the age of 21, Yao married Wang Meicai (王梅彩). The couple had four children (three sons and one daughter).

Sons:

  • Yao Haiyun (姚海云)
  • Yao Haixing (姚海星)
  • Yao Haitian (姚海天)

Daughter:

  • Yao Haiyan (姚海燕)

References

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  1. ^ Yao Haitian (姚海天) (2002). 父亲姚雪垠作品李自成出版前后 [Before and After the Publication of Li Zicheng by My Father Yao Xueyin]. Celebrities' Biographies (in Chinese). 598. Zhengzhou, Henan: Henan Literature and Art Publishing House: 31–35. ISSN 1002-6282.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g 图文:姚雪垠之子说父亲轶事. Hubei News (in Chinese). Retrieved 2010-11-15.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g 姚雪垠生死熬炼《李自成》. Yangcheng Evening News (in Chinese). Retrieved 2002-10-17.
  4. ^ 被指为"娼妓作家":姚雪垠遭胡风"清算"始末. Ifeng (in Chinese). Retrieved 2010-11-30.
  5. ^ "Yao Xueyin".