Mao Zedong's Annotations on the Four Great Classical Novels (Illustrated Edition)

Author: None
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1998-10-01
Features: Eight-volume collection, classic study, appreciation, and gift
★ The book includes over 2,000 illustrations from the Ming and Qing dynasties, allowing you to fully appreciate them.
★ Mao Zedong said, "A Chinese person is not truly Chinese unless they have read the Four Great Classical Novels."
★ Among the outstanding talents of modern China, few have failed to read the Four Great Classical Novels! The formation of the "Four Great Classical Novels" (Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margin, Journey to the West, and Dream of the Red Chamber) from their inception to their final version underwent a lengthy evolutionary process. As the renowned scholar Hu Shi put it, the term "Four Great Classical Novels" was only coined in recent decades. From a communication perspective, the widespread dissemination of the Four Great Classical Novels as a series is closely tied to China's specific historical development and Mao Zedong's repeated reading and citation of them. It was through his persistent reading and citation that Mao Zedong deepened his understanding of the original works of the Four Great Classical Novels while simultaneously serving as their staunch advocate.
Mao Zedong's understanding of the Four Great Classical Novels is unique and profound. For instance, many are easily moved by the deeds of the heroes in Water Margin, yet upon completing the entire work, they may not grasp the essence. Mao's annotations read: "What makes Water Margin outstanding is its focus on loyalty." "Water Margin opposes corrupt officials but not the emperor." With just a few words, he clarifies its core principles. Similarly, his partial endorsement of figures like Cao Cao in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, his praise for Sun Wukong in Journey to the West, and his view of Dream of the Red Chamber as a depiction of the decline of feudal society—all reflect the wisdom of a philosopher, offering clarity amidst chaos and precision within breadth. Through these insights, one can glimpse the literary thought of a great leader of the era.
However, the literary thought of Mao Zedong, as reflected in the Four Great Classical Novels, has both profound depth and complexity. First and foremost, it is the literary thought of a great revolutionary who reshaped the history of the 20th century in China. This defining characteristic imbues his literary thought with strong practical relevance and a pronounced political hue. One aspect of this perspective injects newfound vitality into the content of the Four Great Classical Novels, even empowering pure literature with opportunities to serve society and reality directly. For example, Guo Jia became a model of strategic wisdom for Communist Party leaders at all levels, and Sun Wukong became a hero against bureaucracy and authoritarianism. Mao Zedong even cautioned readers to pay attention to "not only warfare and diplomacy but also organization" when reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
On the other hand, this same perspective occasionally led to biased or one-sided critiques in Mao's scholarly annotations. In his later years, Mao Zedong focused heavily on class struggles both domestically and internationally, often elevating academic issues to political ones. Some of his comments on Water Margin and Dream of the Red Chamber, for instance, left lasting regrets.