Mudan Ting: Exquisite Annotations. Elegant Illustrations

Author: Tang Xianzu (Ming), commented by Weng Minhua and You Hua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: "The Peony Pavilion" is a masterpiece of the great Ming Dynasty composer Tang Xianzu. Together with "Romance of the West Chamber," "The Palace of Eternal Life," and "The Peach Blossom Fan," it is hailed as one of the "Four Great Classical Plays," embodying the highest achievements of ancient Chinese theatrical works. Tang Xianzu successfully portrays the beauty of Du Lijiang, while the passages depicting her emotions and ideals are even more captivating. "The Peony Pavilion" reveals that she dies not because of the destruction of love, but because of her futile yearning for love. Through the character of Du Lijiang, the play expresses the aspirations of young men and women at the time for individual liberation, freedom of love, and autonomous marriage, while exposing the devastation of feudal rituals on people's happiness and noble ideals. The book is accompanied by exquisite annotations, elegant illustrations, and a timeless, classical charm.