Author: Xi Du
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: Reading classics means engaging with the finest souls of humanity, connecting an individual's life with the great tradition. However, due to language barriers, obscure historical contexts, and unique artistic techniques, it is not easy for general readers to understand classic works. Guidance from experts can help us overcome these challenges, broaden our perspectives, inspire our imagination, and lead us into the classics. Therefore, critical essays on classic works are very popular among general readers. Since the 1980s, China has published a large number of series and dictionaries on classic works, many of which have been well-received by readers and remain popular in the market. However, such readings often aim for comprehensiveness, lack rigorous selection of original works and critical essays, and provide brief annotations, making them unsuitable for general readers.
To address this, we have invited the renowned contemporary poet and poetry critic, Mr. Xi Du, to select the finest critical essays on ancient poetry, Tang poetry, Song and Yuan Dynasty ci poetry, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasty poetry, classical Chinese prose (Volume 1), classical Chinese prose (Volume 2), modern poetry, and foreign poetry from the works of famous modern Chinese writers, poets, and scholars. These essays have been compiled into eight volumes: Famous Critics on Ancient Poetry, Famous Critics on Tang Poetry, Famous Critics on Song and Yuan Ci Poetry, Famous Critics on Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasty Poetry, Famous Critics on Classical Chinese Prose (Volume 1), Famous Critics on Classical Chinese Prose (Volume 2), Famous Critics on Modern Poetry, and Famous Critics on Foreign Poetry. Annotations have been provided for the original works.
The selected poems and prose are timeless masterpieces with established reputations, and the authors of the critical essays are among the top figures in modern and contemporary Chinese literature. These essays are filled with profound wisdom inspired by the encounter between the modern and the ancient, offering outstanding examples for readers to engage with and revitalize classic works from a modern perspective.
The compilation of this series took several years, with every aspect—from the selection of texts to the annotations—carefully crafted. The compilers have a broad vision, and the entire series draws from a wide range of sources, forming a cohesive system. The publication of this series is a significant event in the field of Chinese literary research, especially in classical literature. We believe it will be warmly welcomed by.