The dream of the red chamber : a Chinese novel of the early Ching period

"The Story of the Stone" (c. 1760) is one of the greatest novels of Chinese literature. The first part of the story, The Golden Days, begins the tale of Bao-yu, a gentle young boy who prefers girls to Confucian studies, and his two cousins: Bao-chai, his parents' choice of a wife for him, and the ethereal beauty Dai-yu. Through the changing fortunes of the Jia family, this rich, magical work sets worldly events - love affairs, sibling rivalries, political intrigues, even murder - within the context of the Buddhist understanding that earthly existence is an illusion and karma determines the shape of our lives. The Dream of the Red Chamber is one of the'Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese Literature.'It is renowned for its huge scope, large cast of characters, and telling observations about the life and social structures of 18th century China. Many consider it to be the pinnacle of the classical Chinese novel. The'Red Chamber'is a term used to describe the sheltered area where the daughters of wealthy Chinese families lived. The Dream of the Red Chamber is believed to be based on the author's own life and intended as a memorial to the women that he knew in his youth. As Edwin Lowe writes in his introduction,'Henry Bencraft Joly's attention to detail and the faithfulness in his translation of Hong Lou Meng makes this revised edition of The Dream of the Red Chamber an excellent book for the student of modern Chinese.'Whether you're studying Chinese or simply interested in literature, this rich, multilayered story will offer you key insights into Chinese culture. "The Dream of the Red Chamber is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. It is renowned for its huge scope, large cast of characters, and telling observations on the life and social structures of 18th century China and is considered by many to be the pinnacle of classical Chinese novels. The 'Red Chamber' is an expression used for the sheltered area where the daughters of wealthy Chinese families lived and the book is believed to be based on the author's own life and intended as a memorial to the women that he knew in his youth, from family members to servants, many of whom prove to be more capable than the men who control their destinies."--Provided by publisher

The Dream of the Red Chamber is one of the "Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese Literature." It is renowned for its huge scope, large cast of characters and telling observations on the life and social structures of 18th century China and is considered by many to be the pinnacle of the classical Chinese novel.

The "Red Chamber" is an expression used for the sheltered area where the daughters of wealthy Chinese families lived. Believed to be based on the author's own life and intended as a memorial to the women that he knew in his youth, The Dream of the Red Chamber is a multilayered story that offers up key insights into Chinese culture.

Beloved by generations of Chinese readers, The Dream of the Red Chamber is China's touching equivalent of the Romeo & Juliet story. In addition to being a tale of star-crossed lovers, this epic novel also follows the story of five generations of one Chinese family giving modern readers a multi-layered dramatic plot to get lost in at the same time as it offers up key insights into Chinese culture Ben shu shi wo guo si da gu dian ming zhu zhi yi, yi jia bao yu, lin dai yu, xue bao chai de ai qing jiu ge wei xian suo, yi jia, shi, wang, xue si da jia zu wei zhong xin, yi qing chao feng jian she hui wei bei jing, xie chu le feng jian da jia zu de xing shuai, tong shi ye zhe she chu wo guo feng jian she hui xing shuai de li shi.