| Title | : | Traditional Chinese Stories: Themes and Variations |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0887270719 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780887270710 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 632 |
| Publication | : | First published December 1, 1978 |
For centuries the Chinese referred to their fiction as hsiao-shuo, etymologically meaning "roadside gossip" or "small talk," and held it in low regard compared to classical poetry and drama. Not until the 20th century was the Chinese story internationally recognized as a beautiful and vital expression of the Chinese spirit. Spanning the former Han dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 8) to the early Republican years, these 61 selected stories represent the five major forms of Chinese fiction: pi-chi, ch'uan-ch'i, pien-wen, hua-pen and kung-an. With tables listing each selection in its proper chronological sequence and with extensive notes explaining difficult allusions and the placement of each story in the development of Chinese literature, this collection provides an excellent text for students of comparative literature and Chinese fiction.
Traditional Chinese Stories: Themes and Variations Reviews
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I love this book of stories! It is possibly the best collection of traditional and vernacular Chinese literature. The book is separated into sections. The title of each section is a theme that has been popular either throughout or for an extended period of time in Chinese history. The stories in each section exemplify that certain popular theme but they also provide keen insight into certain qualities that are or have been valued by the Chinese people. Another great aspect of these stories is that the interactions of the characters and their relationships with each other are often both recognizable in and relatable to everyday life. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories or has an interest in China :)