Title
The Plum in the Golden Vase or, Chin P'ing Mei: Vol. 1, The Gathering,New
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The first volume of a celebrated translation of the classic Chinese novelThis is the first volume in David Roy's celebrated translation of one of the most famous and important novels in Chinese literature. The Plum in the Golden Vase or, Chin Ping Mei is an anonymous sixteenthcentury work that focuses on the domestic life of Hsimen Ching, a corrupt, upwardly mobile merchant in a provincial town, who maintains a harem of six wives and concubines. The novel, known primarily for its erotic realism, is also a landmark in the development of the narrative art formnot only from a specifically Chinese perspective but in a worldhistorical context.With the possible exception of The Tale of Genji (1010) and Don Quixote (1615), there is no earlier work of prose fiction of equal sophistication in world literature. Although its importance in the history of Chinese narrative has long been recognized, the technical virtuosity of the author, which is more reminiscent of the Dickens of Bleak House, the Joyce of Ulysses, or the Nabokov of Lolita than anything in the earlier Chinese fiction tradition, has not yet received adequate recognition. This is partly because all of the existing European translations are either abridged or based on an inferior recension of the text. This translation and its annotation aim to faithfully represent and elucidate all the rhetorical features of the original in its most authentic form and thereby enable the Western reader to appreciate this Chinese masterpiece at its true worth.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'The Plum in the Golden Vase'? A: The main theme of 'The Plum in the Golden Vase' revolves around the domestic life of Hsi-men Ch’ing, a corrupt merchant, and his relationships with his wives and concubines, exploring themes of power, sexuality, and social mobility in 16th-century China.
- Q: Who is the author of the translation? A: The translation is authored by David Roy, who is known for his work in making this classic Chinese novel accessible to Western readers.
- Q: How many pages does this book have? A: This volume contains 520 pages, providing an in-depth exploration of the narrative.
- Q: Is this book suitable for readers unfamiliar with Chinese literature? A: Yes, this translation is designed to be accessible for readers unfamiliar with Chinese literature, offering annotations that elucidate the text's rhetorical features.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: The book is listed as 'New', ensuring that readers receive a quality product.
- Q: What is the publication date of this volume? A: This volume was published on March 17, 1997.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: The book features a paperback binding, making it lightweight and easy to handle.
- Q: Can you provide a brief summary of the plot? A: The plot focuses on Hsi-men Ch’ing's life, detailing his interactions with his harem and the societal norms of his time, emphasizing the erotic realism and complexity of human relationships.
- Q: How does this translation compare to previous versions? A: This translation aims to represent the original text's authenticity more faithfully than previous versions, which were often abridged or based on inferior recensions.
- Q: Is this book part of a series? A: Yes, this is the first volume in a multi-volume translation of 'The Plum in the Golden Vase', with subsequent volumes continuing the narrative.