Research on Tang Dynasty Novel "Xuan Qian Lu"

Author: Song Lunmei
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-06-01
Features: This book is a new academic monograph by Dr. Song Lunmei, a young scholar from South Korea, representing another significant achievement in her research on Chinese classical fiction. It also marks a new contribution to the field of classical fiction studies. Xuan Guai Lu (Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio) is a highly important collection of legendary tales from the Middle Tang period (763–859 AD), serving as a bridge between preceding and succeeding eras. The author, Niu Shenru, once held the position of prime minister. Lu Xun, in A History of Chinese Fiction, remarked: "While many collections of legendary tales were compiled during the Tang Dynasty, none were as renowned as Niu Shenru's Xuan Guai Lu." This highlights the book's immense fame and influence at the time. Niu Shenru pioneered a new approach to legendary fiction, and building on a full affirmation of Xuan Guai Lu's value, this book further argues: "Xuan Guai Lu established a pivotal position in the history of Tang Dynasty fiction through its imaginative imagination and opened up new horizons with its fantastical stories." These are undoubtedly insightful observations, rich in revelation.
Dr. Song Lunmei's book offers a systematic study of the Tang Dynasty novel Xuan Guai Lu. While numerous research papers and works on Xuan Guai Lu exist both domestically and internationally, many focus primarily on textual criticism and authorship. This book, however, emphasizes a literary perspective, conducting a systematic analysis of the plot, themes, characters, and narrative structure of Xuan Guai Lu. It presents diverse interpretations and original insights. The book's arguments are closely tied to the work itself, demonstrating rigorous logic and reasonable deductions. As a monograph on classical Chinese literature written in Chinese by a foreign scholar, it offers many valuable lessons for others to learn from.