Classical Chinese Novel Popular Library -- The Story of Tang

Author: Anonymous
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Among the dozen or so series of long novels that have been passed down to this day, telling stories of the Sui and Tang dynasties, The Story of the Sui and Tang (Shuo Tang) is the most widely circulated and favored by the common people. The Story of the Sui and Tang begins with Emperor Wen of Sui suppressing Chen and unifying China, and ends with Prince Li Shimin's coup at Xuanwu Gate and his ascension to the throne as the Tang emperor. Its focus is on shaping the group portrait of Sui and Tang heroes and heroines such as Qin Sheng, Shan Xiongxin, Cheng Yaojin, Luo Cheng, and Yuchi Gong, each with distinct personalities and vividly brought to life. The Story of the Sui and Tang is imbued with rich and distinctive folk literary characteristics. Most of its content has no historical basis, and many of its characters are entirely fictional. The language of The Story of the Sui and Tang does not strive for elaborate or elegant phrasing, nor does it contain refined or subtle prose. The entire work is filled with passionate and straightforward vernacular, easily understood by all and loved by everyone. Mr. Zheng Zhenduo once said: "The Story of the Sui and Tang is 'born of the people, written for the people, and sustained by the people. It is what the people love and delight in, and it perfectly caters to the taste of the vast majority of the people.'"