Selected Poems of Bai Juyi -- Classical Poetry Masters

Author: Xie Siwei (Editor and Compiler)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Bai Juyi's poems are enchanting, lyrical, and flowing, with numerous admirers both domestically and internationally. This book selects over 200 representative poems of Bai Juyi, arranged in chronological order of creation. The prefaces are concise, and the annotations are detailed, making it a scholarly and well-regarded reading of Bai's poetry. This series of ancient "Classical Poetry and Prose Masters" is curated by Zhonghua Book Company, featuring the best works of famous poets and scholars from various dynasties, compiling the latest research findings. It provides a systematic and accessible collection of poetry and prose that caters to both academic and general readers. The publication was specially commissioned with over 30 experts and scholars from more than 20 institutions nationwide.
1. The primary criterion for selecting works is their popularity and transmission, while also considering their ideological and artistic value.
2. The selected texts are based on authoritative versions, especially authoritative compiled editions, without collation notes. Generally, variant readings are not explained, but significant ones are clarified in the annotations.
3. Each book includes an "Introduction" before the main text, providing a comprehensive and insightful overview of the selected author, works, and related content.
4. Works and their annotations are arranged chronologically, with those not dated placed after the dated works.
5. Below each poem or prose, there are "Prefaces" and "Annotations." The prefaces provide background information, themes, writing techniques, artistic features, and introductions to relevant names, places, and era designations, depending on the context. The annotations cater to the needs of general readers, with special attention to explaining allusions, technical terms, and difficult phrases. Obscure characters are annotated with Pinyin, and confusing sentences are explained in detail.
By reading this series, readers can gain a comprehensive and systematic understanding of outstanding poets and works in the history of Chinese literature, fostering spiritual resonance, enriching life's pleasures and experiences, or serving as a model for learning and imitation, which is beneficial for poetry and prose creation.