Selected Chinese Love Poems

Author: Tang Zhengqiu (Editor)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The Selected Chinese Love Poems is a bilingual (Chinese-English) anthology of Chinese love poetry, featuring works ranging from the earliest poetry collection The Book of Songs to contemporary times. It encompasses the essence of love poetry from ancient to modern times, including renowned poets such as Li Bai, Du Fu, Su Shi, Lu You, and Li Qingzhao, as well as figures like Emperor Li Longji, Li Yu, the leader Mao Zedong, writers Lu Xun, and playwright Guan Hanqing, along with talented scholars and beauties like Tang Yin and Xue Tao. It reflects the rich world of love and love perspectives in Chinese culture from multiple and multi-layered angles. Most of the selected poems are from famous works and translations (translations by renowned domestic and international scholars; where no existing translation is available, the editor has translated them). The book holds high academic value and readability. Published in a bilingual format, it facilitates comparative reading or reference for foreigners learning Chinese and Chinese learners of English. Poetry expresses emotion, and the essence of emotion lies in love. The true brilliance of Chinese love poems, ci, and qu cannot be fully captured in a single word. The greatest distinguishing feature of Chinese love poetry compared to Western love poetry lies in its gentleness, kindness, subtlety, richness, tenderness, elegance, fusion of scenery and emotion. The styles of different authors vary—some are delicate, some bold, unrestricted by conventions, blending grandeur, antiquity, clarity, mildness, strength, precision, novelty, wildness, elegance, and openness, as if employing every possible technique to its fullest. This book selects famous Chinese love poems and their renowned foreign translations, offering high academic value and readability. Published in a bilingual format, it is convenient for foreigners learning Chinese and Chinese learners of English to read or reference comparatively.