Dream of the Red Chamber: A Short Lecture

Author: Zhou Ruchang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Mr. Zhou Ruchang has a book on Redology aimed at general readers ready for publication. The publisher hopes someone will write a preface to help readers understand Mr. Zhou's "characteristics and achievements." Mr. Zhou entrusted this task to me, as if he considered me a close friend, and though I felt a bit honored and humbled, I had no choice but to comply. The format of "Small Books for the General Public" is compact, and readers can tuck it into their pockets and read a few pages anytime, anywhere. Whether waiting by the roadside, queuing for theater tickets, on a bus, or in a park, it can all be read. If more readers adopt this habit, it will add a touch of culture and learning to society—wouldn’t that be a good thing?
The intention behind compiling this series of books is to save readers' time, allowing them to gain more knowledge in a shorter period. In the age of information overload, there is too much to learn. Supplementary reading has become a frequent necessity. If one is not skilled at it, grabbing bits here and there—patching up this today and that tomorrow—may not yield the best results. If reading is treated like taking supplements, one may also lose the () and joy that should come with reading. Each book in this series is concise, so even if readers read it slowly and savor it, it won’t take much time, and they can fully enjoy the pleasure of reading. If they choose to treat it as supplements, it’s fine too—the dosage is small, easy to take, and easy to digest.