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9th out of 143 books
—
35 voters
Dream of the Red Chamber (彩绘中国小名著)
For more than a century and a half, Dream of the Red Chamber has been recognized in China as the greatest of its novels, a Chinese Romeo-and-Juliet love story and a portrait of one of the world's great civilizations. Chi-chen Wang's translation is skillful, accurate and fascinating. This is an adapted and abridged edition of the 18th century original.
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
October 20th 1958
by Anchor
(first published 1791)
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Overall, this book--one of the four Chinese Classic Novels--was a marvelous read, although its intricacy cannot be overstated. Some compare it to Shakespeare, but it's more like a saga with little Shakespearean offshoots every few chapters. The cast of characters is enormous, and the overarching narrative truly does transcend space and time.
My primary complaint about this book--a long, complex, elegant Chinese drama--is that it needs a better guide to the characters. There is a genealogy chart i...more
My primary complaint about this book--a long, complex, elegant Chinese drama--is that it needs a better guide to the characters. There is a genealogy chart i...more
I have spent 9 years trying to remember what "that Chinese book" was which I read within my first year of college. I cannot remember if I read it for extra credit in my Chinese class, or if one of my professors recommended it as a Chinese classic that I should consider reading. Part of me thinks I began it during the school year, and then part of it the following summer (when I was reading so much I can't remember all that I read). Either way, I finally did some research and this is definitely t...more
This was a fascinating account of ordinary days for a very elite family in 18th century China. Raised many questions in my mind. I hope to find good discussions here from other readers. I have read an English translation from German. The German translation was done by Franz Kuhn. He said his version is more complete than the earlier Joly translation. I read this version because it was free (or nearly) on my Nook. All the reviews I have read talk about "the first 80 chapters...The last 40 chapter...more
Arguably THE most important work in traditional Chinese literature. Written in the 1780s and then compiled and edited about 100 years later, this is not a seamless novel, but more like a soap opera of a courtly family's life in decline. This edition is obviously not the entire work, but a good representation of the most famous scenes.
A lot of times you'll see scrolls or paintings with scenes from Dream of the Read Chamber (also known as Story of the Stone) that have 4 or 5 of the most famous sc...more
A lot of times you'll see scrolls or paintings with scenes from Dream of the Read Chamber (also known as Story of the Stone) that have 4 or 5 of the most famous sc...more
A good introduction to the novel. I was first introduced to this version via a World Lit class at the University of North Carolina--Wilmington. It had such a deep effect on me that I re-read it several times and eventually read the five volume version numerous times. I would say that the five-volume translation has become probably my favorite of all-time, perhaps, next to Brave New World. It has all the genius of the Romantic-era novels of manners, e.g. Pride and Prejudice set against a backgrou...more
The truth is that if not for my Asian Literatures class, I wouldn't have mustered enough strength (despite interest) to read this novel. And I am particularly drawn to the idea forwarded by some academics that Hong Lou Meng is actually a critique to the reception of the public to fiction (and perhaps to reading in general). Also, it is a counter to the idea that in order to attain enlightenment, one must transcend the everyday world. A monk makes a stone nod. The stone is cast away by the Goddes...more
I just re-read this classic of Chinese literature as it's been years since I first read it. The Dream of the Red Chamber/Story of the Stone is unlike any work in the Western canon yet it fits into the Western tradition of great literature in a way few other examples of classic Chinese writing are able to, offering an engrossive narrative and a real feel for both character and place. There are aspects of this novel that may confuse the modern reader of it in English translation: the many titles a...more
This book is a love story, a social history (courtly aristocratic life in the Qing dynasty), a philosophical musing on the futility of human existence, and a repository of Chinese artistic and literary values.
Although it is great to have the book in one volume, I didn't really like this translation of 329 pp. when it is actually 2,572 pages long! When I have more time to devote to it, I will reread the Penguin edition:
The Story of the Stone, or The Dream of the Red Chamber, Vol. 1:
The Golden Da...more
Although it is great to have the book in one volume, I didn't really like this translation of 329 pp. when it is actually 2,572 pages long! When I have more time to devote to it, I will reread the Penguin edition:
The Story of the Stone, or The Dream of the Red Chamber, Vol. 1:
The Golden Da...more
This book is apparently a chinese classic, I wish I could have read a more complete version as that maybe would have filled in some holes in the story and fleshed out some of the characters further. there are some things I really enjoyed about this book - the imagery, some of the characters, and the magical/mystical component. I don't know if it is just this translation, but after I read the last sentence I laughed - it was the most out of the blue, depressing sentence of a book I've ever read....more
I bought and read this book on my Kindle, and unfortunately when I got to the end, it turned out I only had Book I, and that "there are other better and more complete English translations". The novel was "completed" with an additional 40 chapters by another author after Cao Xueqin's death. It definitely ended in the middle of the story, as such, but I will probably not search to read the rest. This story has over 400 characters, 25 of them considered "main" characters, and it is like a tree bran...more
Translated and abridged by Chi-Chen Wang. This is a 330-page adaptation of the 18th century Chinese novel about fate, mysticism, doomed romance and the fortunes of an aristocratic family. It was
fascinating reading for its details about Chinese family values, social hierarchy, interfamily relationships and customs. At times, the various titles and honorifics used were confusing; at one point in the text, the author says that a group of related characters who lived together in a garden house thems...more
fascinating reading for its details about Chinese family values, social hierarchy, interfamily relationships and customs. At times, the various titles and honorifics used were confusing; at one point in the text, the author says that a group of related characters who lived together in a garden house thems...more
(too old to rate) Like any huge realist novel (or at least any good one), A Dream of Red Chambers (also known as Dream of the Red Chamber, the Story of the Stone, and about a billion other names) is less of a story and more of a world that you step into and don't emerge for about a month. It's a strange world, especially for Western eyes, and one may have to give up on keeping track of the secondary characters and their assorted grudges. (For example, there are separate characters named Chia Cha...more
Nov 07, 2007
James R
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
students of Chinese history
Shelves:
have-read
One the great four classical Chinese novels, composed during the Qing dynasty. This version is considerably shorter than other translations, and is supposed to more accessible. There are footnotes that explain the complex social and filial relationships at the core of the novel. Lauded as an historical mirror to 18th century China, it reveals social, political, economic structures unique to 18th century China.
The main narrative at times gives way to sub-plots that are related to the main story l...more
The main narrative at times gives way to sub-plots that are related to the main story l...more
This is one of the masterworks of Chinese literature. The story, closely modeled on the author's life, narrates the decline of a noble family. Buddenbrooks, in a way, but in 18th century China. The novel is framed by the musings of two travelling monks, one Buddhist and the other Taoist, who find the stone, which turns into the hero. The device heightens the tragedy, and makes it both universal and an emblem of the eventual fading of all existence.
Aug 01, 2011
Linh La
added it
Dec. 24, 2009
Despite the fact that various emotions associated with the poems in the novels were lost in translation, the story behind this Chinese classic was touching. It brought the reader vivid images of living in a court full of extended family members and gave a very real account of what life must have been like back then. I still wish my Chinese was better and could read the novel in it's intended language.
Despite the fact that various emotions associated with the poems in the novels were lost in translation, the story behind this Chinese classic was touching. It brought the reader vivid images of living in a court full of extended family members and gave a very real account of what life must have been like back then. I still wish my Chinese was better and could read the novel in it's intended language.
Though parts of it can be a bit of a slog, it is amazingly entertaining and a valuable insight into (at least for me) an unfamiliar culture. I think anyone who wants to be a truly cultured reader ought to give this book (whose entrenched cultural power was so strong that rather than despose of it during the culture revolution the communists instead made it a propaganda piece about the sins of rich corrupt feudalism) a try!
Cao Xueqin never got a so-called success in the emperial examination,but he created a book named Dream of the Red Mansion,which made him singular.Once you get through this book,you'll gain whatever you expect and a gread deal of things you can't ever imagine.It's values are shared by different people with different backgrounds.I'm fairly grateful for the author who had displayed how profound and beautiful our language could be and how gracious our tradition is.It is a great pity that he died bef...more
I can only just begin to grasp the importance, the amazing contribution to Chinese (and world!) literature that this story brought about. Quite a challenging read--even with some schooling in Chinese culture, I found myself stumbling, reviewing and contacting my professor to make sure I caught all the nuances, that I understood all the honorific titles (the family tree chart in the intro is most helpful!) However, it was absolutely worth it as this is a stirring and gorgeous tour-de-force! Even...more
This is a shortened version of the tale but just as riveting. It reads like a Chinese fairy tale should and I can see why it stands the test of time. I'm very big on Chinese literature and history and it was the first of the 4 classic Chinese tales that I've read. I recommend it for those who don't want to take the time reading the longer, 5 book version. But I'm definitely going to!
The one star is for the translation, not for the story. *Dreams of the Red Chamber* is supposed to be a multi-volume book, and I don't think it's possible to abridge without seriously screwing up the story.
I put it down because at the end of Chapter 3, Black Jade has been kidnapped. In the beginning of Chapter 4, she's visiting her grandmother. Grrrrr....
It was promising, though. I'm going to the library to find another version.
I put it down because at the end of Chapter 3, Black Jade has been kidnapped. In the beginning of Chapter 4, she's visiting her grandmother. Grrrrr....
It was promising, though. I'm going to the library to find another version.
The very greatest novel ever written in my view. Certainly the best work the Chinese literature has to offer. And may I say unbecomingly, 红楼梦 is untranslatable. This particular thought keeps popping into my head while I read it at 10.
In short, reading this book written as your mother tongue is a rare advantage of being born a Chinese.
In short, reading this book written as your mother tongue is a rare advantage of being born a Chinese.
Far more characters than storyline, basically the first famous novel ever to come out of China is about the downfall of an aristocratic family due to hubris. The two lovers are treated as the comic relief of the entire book, which I'm not sure I like very much. Still, it does have its beautiful moments and is worth a one-time read.
If you know how to read Chinese, get this book in Chinese and read it. It is a wonderful story, but with the English translation, keeping track of the plot events and the characters is an arduous task. Dream of the Red Chamber is a beautiful creation but not one that is acceptable for translation.
Fascinating really though goes on and on. My set is 4 volumes purchased in xi'an. Intriguing voice with hint of Tristram Shandy where author speaks directly to reader or leaves out details because he doesn't want to go there or you dint need to know--and he tells you that. Written 1791.
I borrowed a copy of this book from a dusty stack of forgotten books in the back closet of the English department in my high school, where it had been discarded by teachers who were tired of students mispronouncing Chinese names and becoming bored by cultural traits unfamiliar to them. For fun, I read it over the summer, and where I did struggle to keep track of which character was which, at first, by the halfway point, I was sucked in completely to the story.
It's a tale with no real beginning a...more
It's a tale with no real beginning a...more
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One of my favorite Chinese classics, written in the vernacular Chinese that was low-culture for the time, yet depicting lives of the upper class and attendant servants and hangers-on. Have read it many times, and will do so in the future.
I've been describing it as Jane Austin if she wrote about Chinese society instead of English society. The description holds through to the end, but is also more of a fatalistic worldview. I read it because it's one of the four classic novels in Chinese literature and it turned out to be a good read for the Chinese leg of my summer travels.
Best Chinese novel in my opinion. However, I don't suggest reading it unless you can tackle the original Chinese version. The details in the language itself is half of what makes it so good.
Really, really slow to start. It didn't help that every character had a name, and a nickname, and a name that conveyed status/relationship in the family. I had NO IDEA what was going on for awhile. I am really bad at names though, which probably doesn't help.
Anyway, I feel like I didn't really get into it until about halfway through. By that point, I was kind of annoyed with everyone because they all seemed equally whiny and useless, though there were some pretty entertaining parts. The ending s...more
Anyway, I feel like I didn't really get into it until about halfway through. By that point, I was kind of annoyed with everyone because they all seemed equally whiny and useless, though there were some pretty entertaining parts. The ending s...more
Chapter 12. Surfeit, like Tolstoy's works, with an excess of characters that demonstrates the overlap of lives but distracts from the tightness of story.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asian Lit in Tran...: Dream of the Red Chamber | 3 | 13 | Apr 14, 2013 08:58am | |
| The Four Great Classical Novels of China | 2 | 22 | Nov 02, 2009 10:07pm |
Cao Xueqin (Chinese: 曹雪芹; pinyin: Cáo Xuěqín; Wade–Giles: Ts'ao Hsueh-ch'in, 1715 or 1724 — 1763 or 1764) was a Qing Dynasty Chinese writer, best known as the author of Dream of the Red Chamber, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. His given name was Cao Zhan (曹霑) and his courtesy name is Mengruan (夢阮; 梦阮; literally "Dream about Ruan" or "Dream of Ruan")[...]
More about Cao Xueqin...
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“The cunning waste their pains;
The wise men vex their brains;
But the simpleton, who seeks no gains,
With belly full, he wanders free
As drifting boat upon the sea.”
—
5 people liked it
The wise men vex their brains;
But the simpleton, who seeks no gains,
With belly full, he wanders free
As drifting boat upon the sea.”
“Truth becomes fiction when the fiction's true;
Real becomes not-real where the unreal's real.”
—
3 people liked it
More quotes…
Real becomes not-real where the unreal's real.”
Jun 19, 2011 09:07am