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The Red Chamber
by Pauline A. Chen (Goodreads Author)
by Pauline A. Chen (Goodreads Author)
The Red Chamber is based on the 18th century China's classic novel, "Dreams of the Red Chamber." Author, Pauline Chen has taken some of the original characters from the book to weave an intriguing tale of life in the opulent women's quarters of a privileged Beijing family of that era. The story follows the lives of three strong women who forge a friendship in a world where they are at the mercy, not only of their husbands, but their older female relatives as well.
For anyone wishing to understand Chinese culture and history of that period, this is a fascinating story. However, it is not an easy read. To begin with, there are so many characters in the family compound that it was necessary to have a glossary to keep them all straight. Also a help was the family tree that gives the main members of the Jia family, and how they are related.
The novel is not a page-turner and with the culture being so unique, it takes time to absorb this book fully. However, it is well written and I enjoyed savoring it over a period of time. If Chinese culture and history is of interest to you, it's a captivating read.
My only complaint is that the story is told in present tense, which is something I personally don't like. But that's just me.
For anyone wishing to understand Chinese culture and history of that period, this is a fascinating story. However, it is not an easy read. To begin with, there are so many characters in the family compound that it was necessary to have a glossary to keep them all straight. Also a help was the family tree that gives the main members of the Jia family, and how they are related.
The novel is not a page-turner and with the culture being so unique, it takes time to absorb this book fully. However, it is well written and I enjoyed savoring it over a period of time. If Chinese culture and history is of interest to you, it's a captivating read.
My only complaint is that the story is told in present tense, which is something I personally don't like. But that's just me.
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Roxanne Hsu
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Jul 15, 2012 04:42am
They are not from Beijing... is it stated so in the book?
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I know Daiyu is from the south but when she goes north to visit the compound where all her cousins live, it is Beijing. The pitch on the back of the book even states that. (As a Vine reader, I get original proofs) The pitch states: "An epic reimagining of the Chinese classic...set against the breathtaking backdrop of eighteenth-century Beijing where the lives of three unforgettable women collide in the Inner Chambers of a ducal mansion."
Except that the ORIGINAL Chinese story -- they didn't live all the way at the north, either. It is one of my favorite books growing up -- I re-read it probably 25 times. (In Chinese) The fauna, the seasons, and the geography mentioned in the book -- all point the location AWAY from the Capitol of the empire. There are many arguments among Red Scholars and many think that the location is a composite city made-up with some features from Beijing and some features from Nanjing. One obvious reference is the term Jin Ling Shi Er Chai -- The Twelve Beauties of Jin Ling City, referring to the twelve main female characters in the tale, and Jin Ling is current day Nan Jing. I know that this English retelling version set it in Beijing... but that is not really accurate.
And, the epic is so so so much more than just the love triangle... to me, it pays homage to poetry, to art, and it showcases a visionary writer's ability to provide new and challenging ways to examine the restricted life of the upper class in 18th Century Imperial China and women's roles.
I have a copy of a version of "The Story of the Stone" by Cao Xuegin and translated by David Hawkes, but I found it a little overwhelming. That's why I was happy to get this version as an introduction to the wonderful classic story. Now I've read this and some understanding, hopefully I can go back and finish Cao's book. I agree with you that it is a wonderful classical piece, Roxanne. I hope you didn't think I put it down in anyway.
Oh, not at all. I'm so glad that someone has put the effort in bringing this story to the West... and so glad that you read and wrote the review! I don't have time to read it this year but I do want to read it next year once I'm done with the children's book award committee work.
