Journey Through World Classics - Water Margin

Author: Shi Nai'an
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Literary masterpiece with enduring charm, offering wisdom and strength to readers across generations. In the face of a highly competitive society, children need to be prepared. Cultivating qualities, shaping character, strengthening psychological resilience, forming ways of thinking, developing intelligence, and honing willpower are all crucial topics. The monotony of family education, the limitations of school education, and the inadequacy of social education leave children feeling confused about many issues. Literary masterpieces present a rich world, with vivid and concrete characters, intriguing plots, and complex social dynamics, encouraging young readers to observe people, relationships, and society. It can be said that literary masterpieces are textbooks for life, enabling young readers to understand society and life through the fates of characters, gaining subtle insights into the world. Moreover, the beauty of literature and language in these masterpieces is like a refreshing spring that nourishes the heart. Limited in knowledge and time, young readers may find it difficult to read the full texts of numerous literary masterpieces. This illustrated abridged edition, complete with helpful annotations, would make a welcome gift.
The Song imperial family declined and became corrupt. Emperor Huizong indulged in luxury, appointed the villain Cai Jing as prime minister, lived extravagantly, and imposed heavy taxes on the people, leading to widespread suffering and banditry. Many were driven to desperate measures. The Water Margin reflects the peasant uprising of that time. Forced to join the rebellion, the rebels gathered on Liangshan Island, raised the banner of "carrying out the will of heaven, robbing the rich to help the poor," and recruited many heroes, even some petty officials and merchants. The deeds of these Liangshan heroes became the subject of widespread tales, which were adapted into plays and stories. Later, a Yuan Dynasty author named Shi Nai'an compiled and reimagined these stories, writing them into the epic novel The Water Margin.