Speak of Tang

Author: (Qing) Anonymous / Jin Xin / Xiao Ping (ed.)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: The Story of the Tang Dynasty (Shuo Tang) possesses a strong folk literary character, with many stories being collectively created by folk storytelling artists. Most of the content in the book lacks historical verification, and some characters are entirely fictional. Some real figures and events have been arbitrarily adapted. These characteristics of The Story of the Tang Dynasty have long been looked down upon and dismissed by scholars and literary critics, who have called it "coarse, vulgar, and truly insignificant." In stark contrast, the common people highly regard this novel, eagerly discussing the heroic deeds of the "Eighteen Heroes of Sui and Tang" from The Story of the Tang Dynasty. The Story of the Tang Dynasty has a strong storytelling style, with its language being elegant, profound, and expressive in the vernacular of the common folk. For example, the language of Cheng Yaojin is sometimes vulgar and rough, yet it is deeply loved by the general populace.