The Dream of the Red Chamber
Hung Lou Meng or a Dream of Red Mansions
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- $4.99
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
The novel provides a detailed, episodic record of the two branches of the wealthy and aristocratic Jia clan — the Rongguo House and the Ningguo House — who reside in two large, adjacent family compounds in the capital Beijing. Their ancestors were made Dukes and given imperial titles, and as the novel begins the two houses are among the most illustrious families in the city. One of the clan’s offspring was made an Imperial Consort, and a lush landscaped garden was built to receive her visit. The novel describes the Jias’ wealth and influence in great naturalistic detail, and charts the Jias’ fall from the height of their prestige, following some thirty main characters and over four hundred minor ones. Eventually the Jia clan falls into disfavor with the Emperor, and their mansions are raided and confiscated.
Customer Reviews
It's not about Romeo and Juliet
It's sad to know that most western readers regard this novel as a Chinese Romeo and Juliet story. This over-simplified conclusion misleads people and kills the greatness of the book. A most fascinating and complicated story about almost everything in life from the uglist to the most beautiful, unfortunately is mistaken as "two girls competing for a boy".
The wisdom in the book is so vast that even if I've been reading the book since I was a teenager, each time the book entertains and educates me in new ways. I know that I won't be able to completely understand the book in my entire life time. Let's just say that no matter where you are from, how much you know about China, the book has something for everyone.
Best Chinese novel of all time!
The story itself is a fascinating picture of life in 18th century China, and portrays the development of a young boy who has otherworldly origins. The western reader needs to view dispassionately the Buddhist theme which pervades the novel, but when read with an open mind, the philosophy underlying the novel is both charming and practical (in its own way). Best Chinese novel of all time!