Song and Yuan Popular Tales — A Series of Books for Introduction to National Studies

Author: Cheng Yizhong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-04-21
Features: "Speaking" was a vivid art form in ancient times, equivalent to modern storytelling. The huaiben (story scrolls) were records of these spoken performances, capturing the oral creations of the storytellers, which were then written down, printed, and transformed into a new form of fiction. They represent the origin of popular fiction in China and flourished particularly during the Song and Yuan dynasties. This book provides a concise introduction to the emergence and dissemination, themes, and styles of Song and Yuan huaiben, as well as an insightful analysis of their artistic features and literary significance. Author Cheng Yizhong is a highly knowledgeable and prolific expert in the history of Chinese literature. The book is written in clear and engaging language, supported by abundant examples, blending narrative with commentary, making it an excellent introductory read for classical literature. "Speaking" was a vivid art form in ancient times, equivalent to modern storytelling. The huaiben (story scrolls) were records of these spoken performances, capturing the oral creations of the storytellers, which were then written down, printed, and transformed into a new form of fiction. They represent the origin of popular fiction in China and flourished particularly during the Song and Yuan dynasties. This book provides a concise introduction to the emergence and dissemination, themes, and styles of Song and Yuan huaiben, as well as an insightful analysis of their artistic features and literary significance. Author Cheng Yizhong is a highly knowledgeable and prolific expert in the history of Chinese literature. The book is written in clear and engaging language, supported by abundant examples, blending narrative with commentary, making it an excellent introductory read for classical literature.