历史小说的哲学向度--读万胜的小说《王的胎记》

Philosophical Trend of Historical Novel——About "The Emperor’s Birthmark" by Wan Sheng

历史小说比一般的文学更接近历史,比一般的历史更接近哲学。万胜的历史小说《王的胎记》就是这个说法的绝佳注脚。小说从历史小说中的帝王将相情结中超脱出来,从普遍人性的角度加深了对历史的理解;作者站在现代文明的地基之上,没有对历史进行独断式地理解,而是保持开放和包容的阐释学视野,让小说中的历史超越了考据层次,呈现出更多的现实可能,从而生成了反思式的历史;小说独特的古今互构的叙事结构,通过跨时空的叙事安排,极为深刻地思辨着超时空的价值。

It is said that historical novels are closer to history than other literary works are, and are closer to philosophy than the history is. A case in point is "The Emperor’s Birthmark," a historical novel written by Wan Sheng. This novel strengthens ordinary people’s understanding of history by going beyond the image of emperor depicted in other historical novels. Its writer’s attitude to history is an open and reflective one, allowing more possibilities for the history. The novel is of great value that goes beyond time and space by its unique narrative structure that links the present to the past.