Four Great Classical Novels Deluxe Annotated Edition (Boxed Set - 8 Volumes)

Author: Cao Xueqin et al. (Authored), Lin Guanfu et al. (Commented)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-08-01
Features: Dream of the Red Chamber follows the tragic love story between Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu, depicting the decline of a noble family from prosperity to ruin. The work offers a profound critique of feudal society, including the darkness of the imperial court and bureaucracy, the corruption of the feudal aristocracy and their families, the feudal imperial examination system, marriage system, and hierarchy, as well as the corresponding social governance ideology and moral concepts. It also proposes a preliminary democratic social ideal. Water Margin, also known as Outlaws of the Marsh, is a long novel. The author created this work based on Remnants of the Song Dynasty and related storytelling texts. The entire book focuses on the theme of peasant rebellion, portraying heroic figures like Li Kui, Wu Song, and Lin Chong, exposing the cruelty and corruption of the feudal ruling class, and revealing the social contradictions of the time. Written in vernacular Chinese, the language is vivid and lively, with character portrayals, achieving a high level of artistic excellence. It is considered a milestone in Chinese vernacular literature and holds profound significance. Journey to the West primarily depicts the story of Sun Wukong protecting Tang Sanzang on his journey to the West to retrieve Buddhist scriptures, enduring ninety-nine and one challenges. The journey of Tang Sanzang to the West is a real historical event. Approximately 1,300 years ago, in the first year of the Zhenguan era (627), the young monk Xuanzang, at the age of 25, left the capital Chang'an alone to study in India (Tianzhu). After departing from Chang'an, he passed through Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, overcoming numerous difficulties and finally reaching India. There, he studied for over two years and was praised as a speaker at a major Buddhist scholastic debate. In the 19th year of the Zhenguan era (645), Xuanzang returned to Chang'an, bringing back 657 Buddhist scriptures. This journey to the West lasted nineteen years and covered tens of thousands of miles, a legendary long march that caused a sensation at the time. Later, Xuanzang dictated his travels, which were compiled by his disciple Bianji into Records of the Western Regions During the Great Tang Dynasty in twelve volumes. However, this book mainly describes the history, geography, and transportation of the countries along the way, with little narrative. Later, his disciples Huili and Yancong wrote Biography of the Venerable Master Xuanzang of the Great Tang's Daci'en Temple, which added many mythological elements to Xuanzang's experiences. From then on, the story of Tang Sanzang's journey to the West began to spread widely among the people. During the Southern Song Dynasty, there was The Poetic Account of Tang Sanzang's Journey to the West; in the Jin Dynasty, there were Tang Sanzang and The Peach Blossom Banquet in the court drama; and in the Yuan Dynasty, there were Wu Changling's Tang Sanzang's Journey to the West to Retrieve Buddhist Scriptures and an anonymous The God Erlang Locks Sun Wukong. All these works laid the foundation for the creation of Journey to the West. Wu Cheng'en also drew on folk tales, storytelling texts, and operas to painstakingly recreate this great literary masterpiece that has brought pride to the Chinese nation. Wu Cheng'en, styled Ruzhong, styled Sheyang Shanshen, was a native of Shanyang in Huai'an Prefecture (now Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province). He was born around the period between the 13th year of the Hongzhi era and the early Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty (1500–1510) and died around the 10th year of the Wanli era (1582). Both his great-grandfather and grandfather were scholars who served as instructors and teaching assistants in county schools. However, by his father Wu Rui's generation, due to poverty, he was adopted into the Xu family and took over their business, becoming a small merchant. Despite this, the Wu family maintained its tradition of scholarship. It is said that his father Wu Rui, though a merchant, was upright and loved reading and discussing current affairs, which naturally had a significant influence on Wu Cheng'en. Wu Cheng'en was very intelligent from a young age and entered school early, achieving success in his youth and gaining a reputation in his hometown. Romance of the Three Kingdoms is China's most accomplished historical novel, artistically recreating the historical turmoil and grand scenes from the Yellow Turban Rebellion to the unification of Western Jin in nearly a century. Through a focused depiction of the political, military, and diplomatic struggles among the ruling factions during the Three Kingdoms period, the author reveals the turmoil and darkness of the late Han Dynasty, reflects the suffering of the people, and expresses the people's strong desire for a wise ruler and stability.