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Dream of the Red Chamber
Cao Xueqin; Translated by H. Bencraft Joly; Foreword by John Minford; Introduction by Edwin Lowe
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R601
Discovery Miles 6 010
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Ships in 12 - 17 working days
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"One of the great novels of world literature…to the Chinese as
Proust is to the French or Karamazov to the Russians." --Anthony
West, literary critic Dream of the Red Chamber (also known as The
Story of the Stone) is renowned for its epic scope, rich
psychological characterizations and telling observations on family
life and the role of women in Chinese society. One of the Four
Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature, along with Journey to
the West, The Water Margin, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms;
Dream of the Red Chamber is widely regarded as the greatest Chinese
classical novel, and one of the greatest works of world literature
ever written. The "red chamber" refers to a sheltered area in
wealthy households where daughters were confined until married--a
veritable prison where dreams of true love wither. This sweeping
tale tells of the rise and fall of rival branches of the wealthy
Jia family, who live in lavish adjacent compounds surrounded by a
lush, private garden. The story opens with the birth of Jia Baoyu,
heir apparent and darling of the women in the Jia household. A
free-thinker and idealist, Baoyu soon rebels against his stern
father, who refuses to allow his son to pursue a romantic affair
with Lin Daiyu--a headstrong and intelligent woman who shares his
love of music and poetry. Baoyu is forced instead to marry Xue
Baochai, an equally talented and beautiful woman but someone with
whom he has no emotional connection. The fates of the star-crossed
lovers and their families slowly unravel as this tragic story
unfolds. Dream of the Red Chamber, although written by a man, is
said to be one of the first great works of women's literature. The
author, Cao Xueqin, is thought to have written the novel as a
memorial to the inspiring women he knew in his youth.
For generations, the Jia family is held in high esteem but when
they lose favor with the emperor, their luxury lifestyle comes to
an end. The Story of the Stone focuses on internal and external
conflicts that arise as they adjust to their unexpected plight. Jia
Baoyu is heir to a prestigious family, that's held multiple
imperial titles throughout the years. Despite their history and
social standing, they are targeted by the emperor who strips them
of their land and personal fortune. As the family's wealth wanes,
the young Jia struggles with his affection for his cousin Lin
Daiyu, as he's already engaged to Xue Baochai. It's a compelling
romance drama set against the family's economic decline. Revered
for centuries, The Story of the Stone is one of the Four Classic
Novels in Chinese literature. It's a depiction of pre-modern times
that is both bleak and illuminating. Cao Xueqin delivers a piercing
commentary on the duplicity of the social and political structure.
With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset
manuscript, this edition of The Story of the Stone is both modern
and readable.
This book, from the series Primary Sources: Historical Books of the
World (Asia and Far East Collection), represents an important
historical artifact on Asian history and culture. Its contents come
from the legions of academic literature and research on the subject
produced over the last several hundred years. Covered within is a
discussion drawn from many areas of study and research on the
subject. From analyses of the varied geography that encompasses the
Asian continent to significant time periods spanning centuries, the
book was made in an effort to preserve the work of previous
generations.
The Story of the Stone (c. 1760), also known by the title of The Dream of the Red Chamber, is the great novel of manners in Chinese literature. Divided into five volumes, of which The Crab-Flower Club is the second, it charts the glory and decline of the illustrious Jia family (a story which closely accords with the fortunes of the author’s own family). The two main characters, Bao-yu and Dai-yu, are set against a rich tapestry of humour, realistic detail and delicate poetry, which accurately reflects the ritualized hurly-burly of Chinese family life. But over and above the novel hangs the constant reminder that there is another plane of existence – a theme which affirms the Buddhist belief in a supernatural scheme of things.
Divided into five volumes, The Story of the Stone charts the glory and decline of the illustrious Jia family. This novel re-creates the ritualized hurly-burly of Chinese family life that would otherwise be lost and infuses it with affirming Buddhist belief.
The Story of the Stone (c. 1760), also known by the title of The Dream of the Red Chamber, is the great novel of manners in Chinese literature. Divided into five volumes, of which The Warning Voice is the third, it charts the glory and decline of the illustrious Jia family (a story which closely accords with the fortunes of the author’s own family). The two main characters, Bao-yu and Dai-yu, are set against a rich tapestry of humour, realistic detail and delicate poetry, which accurately reflects the ritualized hurly-burly of Chinese family life. But over and above the novel hangs the constant reminder that there is another plane of existence – a theme which affirms the Buddhist belief in a supernatural scheme of things.
The Story of the Stone (c. 1760), also known by the title of The Dream of the Red Chamber, is the great novel of manners in Chinese literature. Divided into five volumes, of which The Dreamer Wakes is the fifth, it charts the glory and decline of the illustrious Jia family (a story which closely accords with the fortunes of the author’s own family). The two main characters, Bao-yu and Dai-yu, are set against a rich tapestry of humour, realistic detail and delicate poetry, which accurately reflects the ritualized hurly-burly of Chinese family life. But over and above the novel hangs the constant reminder that there is another plane of existence – a theme which affirms the Buddhist belief in a supernatural scheme of things.
The Story of the Stone (c. 1760), also known by the title of The Dream of the Red Chamber, is the great novel of manners in Chinese literature. Divided into five volumes, of which The Debt of Tears is the fourth, it charts the glory and decline of the illustrious Jia family (a story which closely accords with the fortunes of the author’s own family). The two main characters, Bao-yu and Dai-yu, are set against a rich tapestry of humour, realistic detail and delicate poetry, which accurately reflects the ritualized hurly-burly of Chinese family life. But over and above the novel hangs the constant reminder that there is another plane of existence – a theme which affirms the Buddhist belief in a supernatural scheme of things.
Dream of the Red Chamber is a masterpiece of Chinese literature and
one of China's Four Great Classical Novels. It was composed in the
mid-18th century during the Qing Dynasty and is generally
acknowledged to be a pinnacle of Chinese fiction. The novel is
believed to be semi-autobiographical, mirroring the rise and decay
of author's own family and, by extension, of the Qing Dynasty. As
the author states in the first chapter, it is intended to be a
memorial to the women he knew in his youth - friends, relatives and
servants. At the center of the story is Bao-yu, a precocious,
spoiled, and undisciplined boy and his romantic affinity to his
poetry-loving, orphaned cousin, Dai-yu. The novel is remarkable not
only for its huge cast of characters and psychological scope, but
also for its precise and detailed observation of the life and
social structures typical of 18th-century Chinese aristocracy.
Hung Lou Meng, or Dream of the Red Chamber, composed by Cao Xueqin,
is one of China's Four Great Classical Novels. It is considered to
be a masterpiece of Chinese literature and is generally
acknowledged to be the pinnacle of Chinese fiction. Red Chamber is
believed to be semi-autobiographical, mirroring the rise and decay
of author Cao Xueqin's own family and, by extension, of the Qing
Dynasty.
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