徐枕亚

Xu Zhenya (1889–1937) was a Chinese writer and editor, born in Changshu, Jiangsu. He gained fame with his 1912 novel Yuli Hun (Jade Pear Spirit), a tragic love story that became a landmark of the Mandarin Ducks and Butterflies school, a popular genre emphasizing romance and traditional values. The novel, serialized in the magazine Minquan Su, was a massive success and was later adapted into films and plays. Xu also wrote sequels and other works, including Xuehong Yishi (Tears of Blood and History), but none matched the impact of his debut. He worked as an editor for several literary journals and was known for his classical poetry and calligraphy. His literary legacy lies in bridging classical Chinese fiction with modern popular readership, influencing early 20th-century urban literature. He died in 1937, leaving a lasting mark on Chinese sentimental fiction.