Song of the Airs and Songs of Chu: Selected and Commented On

Author: Xu Zhixiao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-06-01
Features: This book is one of the "New Century Classics of Classical Literature" series published by Shanghai Guji Press. This series inherits and promotes the fine tradition of publishing popular literature over the past 46 years by Shanghai Guji Press, and also gathers various positive and negative experiences. Renowned scholars have written in-depth yet accessible styles, emphasizing both knowledge and readability, which are its fundamental characteristics. The integration of cultural tradition and modern features is also a new focus. The latest research findings in academia over the past half-century are presented in a simplified and socialized manner to adapt to the reading habits of contemporary readers. By transforming the unconventional into the elegant, it reveals a refined charm amidst easy-to-understand content, embodying its distinctive style.
The Book of Songs and the Chu Ci have not only had a profound impact on the history of Chinese literature (especially the history of Chinese poetry) but also played an undeniable role in shaping the ideological consciousness, ideals, and moral integrity of intellectuals throughout the feudal society in China. This book selects some famous chapters from the Book of Songs (including Feng, Ya, and Song), as well as the main works of Qu Yuan in the Chu Ci and Song Yu's Nine Declarations. It provides concise yet incisive commentary on these selections, seamlessly blending the original texts with the analyses, creating a harmonious interplay between the whole and the parts. This approach unifies the grand perspective with the meticulous accumulation, achieving a balanced and cohesive presentation.