Chen Duansheng (1751–1796)

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Chen Duansheng (1751–1796)

Chinese novelist and poet. Born in 1751 in Qiantang, Zhejiang Province, China; died in 1796; dau. of scholar-official Chen Yuden; granddau. of scholar-official Chen Zhaolun (1700–1771); sister of Chen Quingsheng and Chen Changsheng (writer); married Fan Tan; children: son and daughter.

Author of verse narrative, Tale of the After Life (20 vols., Zaishengyuan), which she began writing at age 17 (1768); wrote 64 chapters of the narrative, but stopped writing in autumn of 1770, just after her mother died; wrote 4 more chapters (1784). At Chen's death, the narrative was taken up and completed by Liang Desheng, and finally edited and published by Hon Xiangye.