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A Study on the Images of the Nien Cavalry in the Novel Star Grass
XING Cheng
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DOI:10.17265/2159-5836/2026.03.004
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
Star Grass (first published in the early 1980s) written by Ling Li (1942-2018) is a Chinese historical novel based on the history of the Nien Rebellion (1852-1864) in the 19th century’s China. In history, the Nien Army was famous for its flexible cavalry tactics. Its main adversary was also a famous cavalry force. Thus, in the historical novel Star Grass, cavalry constitutes a really significant element. Based on historical materials, the author of this novel restored the combat tactics of the Nien cavalry. However, in the specific portrayal of the Nien army’s figures, the author incorporated many fictional elements. These fictional elements possess a strong style characteristic of classical Chinese novels. This creative style lends the novel strong readability, but slightly distorts the authenticity of the depiction of war scenes. Nevertheless, for the readers of modern society, this novel still remains a good reference for understanding the war culture of China during the late Qing Dynasty (1840-1912).
Star Grass, the Nien Rebellion, cavalry
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