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Product: Book
ISBN-10: 7-119-00643-6
ISBN-13: 9787119006437
Publisher: Foreign Languages Press
Country: China
Year: January 1, 2001
Size: 10.79 x 18.59 x 8.99cm
Number of pages: 1887
Weight: 1,501gr
Binding: Paperback
ISBN-10: 7-119-00643-6
ISBN-13: 9787119006437
Publisher: Foreign Languages Press
Country: China
Year: January 1, 2001
Size: 10.79 x 18.59 x 8.99cm
Number of pages: 1887
Weight: 1,501gr
Binding: Paperback
editions
Tsao Hsueh-Chin, Kao Ngo
Foreign Languages Press; 1995
Hardcover
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catalog
description
Product Description
Also known as Hong Lou Meng, this is arguably China's greatest literary masterpiece. A chronicle of a noble family in the eighteenth century; but the splendor of enchanting gardens, pleasure pavilions, and daily life of the most sophisticated refinements hides the realities of decay and self-destruction.
Also known as Hong Lou Meng, this is arguably China's greatest literary masterpiece. A chronicle of a noble family in the eighteenth century; but the splendor of enchanting gardens, pleasure pavilions, and daily life of the most sophisticated refinements hides the realities of decay and self-destruction.
reviews
worth reading 
This is book tells the story of a clan which is in the run-down. It is centered in a young man, Baoyu, and all his »sisters«. Don't expect a story in the traditional point of view, I mean like greeks said: an introduction, a development and an end. This does not follow this trend, well, one could say that it sort of has an introduction and an end as a matter of fact but this book must be read as is, just daily life in the Rong and Ning mansions. Do not expect either a very deep story or characters, it is kind of superficial in fact although there a lot of characters and their whereabouts and machinations are told. It gives an insight though into what might have been the life in that land and in that time, keep in mind though that this still a book. An overall enjoyable piece.
This is book tells the story of a clan which is in the run-down. It is centered in a young man, Baoyu, and all his »sisters«. Don't expect a story in the traditional point of view, I mean like greeks said: an introduction, a development and an end. This does not follow this trend, well, one could say that it sort of has an introduction and an end as a matter of fact but this book must be read as is, just daily life in the Rong and Ning mansions. Do not expect either a very deep story or characters, it is kind of superficial in fact although there a lot of characters and their whereabouts and machinations are told. It gives an insight though into what might have been the life in that land and in that time, keep in mind though that this still a book. An overall enjoyable piece.
A Masterpiece! 
Even though some may say that the translation is less then brilliant I still enjoyed the story very much. I was quiet sad actually when the story ended. It made me feel like no other book had ever made me feel. I've always cheered on the good guys like in »Outlaws of the Marsh« or »The Three Kingdoms«, but this time I really cared about these characters. Shakespeare's got nothing on this story. The charcters expressed the way they felt through poetry and music. I was in the room and I knew these people. It accomplishes everything every other story never could. I'm just afraid I'll never have that same feeling again.
Even though some may say that the translation is less then brilliant I still enjoyed the story very much. I was quiet sad actually when the story ended. It made me feel like no other book had ever made me feel. I've always cheered on the good guys like in »Outlaws of the Marsh« or »The Three Kingdoms«, but this time I really cared about these characters. Shakespeare's got nothing on this story. The charcters expressed the way they felt through poetry and music. I was in the room and I knew these people. It accomplishes everything every other story never could. I'm just afraid I'll never have that same feeling again.
Rekindling Memories of Childhood
I searched out this set because my teacher of Chinese medicine had told me that it was her favorite book as a teenager and that she still had the fondest memories of it – yet, she had never read it in English. When I gave it to her, she beamed, opened to a random page and said, »I know right where they are in the story although my English doesn't understand every word.« When I saw her later she told me that her daughter was upset that she hadn't thought of this book for her mom as it brought her so much happiness!
I searched out this set because my teacher of Chinese medicine had told me that it was her favorite book as a teenager and that she still had the fondest memories of it – yet, she had never read it in English. When I gave it to her, she beamed, opened to a random page and said, »I know right where they are in the story although my English doesn't understand every word.« When I saw her later she told me that her daughter was upset that she hadn't thought of this book for her mom as it brought her so much happiness!
Haven't Finished, but I like what I see 
First thought: THE POETRY RHYMES, OMG!!!!! Second thought: Not the best story line so far, but when you're only on the first volume, you can't really assume much, can you? Overall: Worth reading, and so far is the BEST translation.
First thought: THE POETRY RHYMES, OMG!!!!! Second thought: Not the best story line so far, but when you're only on the first volume, you can't really assume much, can you? Overall: Worth reading, and so far is the BEST translation.
Great book, uninspired translation 
There are two complete, unabridged translation of the greatest Chinese classical novel of manners »Dream of the Red Chamber«. One is the Penguin classics version translated by Oxford doyen David Hawkes and his son-in-law John Minford, now available on paperbacks in 5 volumes under the alternate title »The Story of the Stone«. The other is this China Foreign Language Press version made in the late 1970s by Chinese translators Yang Xianyi and his wife Gladys. With all due respects to the Yangs, their translation just isn't on par with the Penguin's. The original novel is a paragon of how the classical vernacular Chinese language should be written; Yangs' version is stodgy and half-hearted and captures none of the elegance and depth of the original. Their English borders on paraphrase at times and they don't appear to bother about stylistic recreation, eg. some sentences don't sound native at all – »The arrival of the edict rejoiced the hearts of all officials«. Believe me, reading the original is much, much better. The Yangs' works could be serviceable (as in their decent Lu Hsun) but this version of »Dream of the Red Mansions« is embarassingly outclassed by a far superior and more idiomatic rendition: David Hawkes's version is simply unparalleled and a labor of love. Given a choice between the two translations, it's a no-brainer: the Penguin is the winner anytime.
There are two complete, unabridged translation of the greatest Chinese classical novel of manners »Dream of the Red Chamber«. One is the Penguin classics version translated by Oxford doyen David Hawkes and his son-in-law John Minford, now available on paperbacks in 5 volumes under the alternate title »The Story of the Stone«. The other is this China Foreign Language Press version made in the late 1970s by Chinese translators Yang Xianyi and his wife Gladys. With all due respects to the Yangs, their translation just isn't on par with the Penguin's. The original novel is a paragon of how the classical vernacular Chinese language should be written; Yangs' version is stodgy and half-hearted and captures none of the elegance and depth of the original. Their English borders on paraphrase at times and they don't appear to bother about stylistic recreation, eg. some sentences don't sound native at all – »The arrival of the edict rejoiced the hearts of all officials«. Believe me, reading the original is much, much better. The Yangs' works could be serviceable (as in their decent Lu Hsun) but this version of »Dream of the Red Mansions« is embarassingly outclassed by a far superior and more idiomatic rendition: David Hawkes's version is simply unparalleled and a labor of love. Given a choice between the two translations, it's a no-brainer: the Penguin is the winner anytime.
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© 1994–2010 Sascha Hendel
last update: 3/18/2010
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