Jin Shengtan Criticizes the Water Margin (Volumes 1 and 2)

Author: (Ming) Shi Nai'an, (Qing) Jin Shengtan (critic), Luo Derong (ed.)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The establishment of classical masterpieces in the history of Chinese literature is, of course, primarily due to the unique charm of these works themselves. However, it is also greatly related to the efforts of a large number of insightful literary critics who rigorously analyzed and commented on these novels after their publication. Names like Li Zhuowu, Jin Shengtan, Mao Zonggang, and Zhi Yanzhai are closely associated in people's minds with Journey to the West, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margin, and Dream of the Red Chamber. They not only pioneered a new era in the history of Chinese classical novel criticism but also enabled more readers to gain a deeper understanding of the essence and charm of these classical masterpieces through their critiques. The saying that Jin Shengtan "cut" Water Margin is widely known. Since Jin Shengtan introduced his Water Margin edition from the Guanhua Hall, nearly two centuries passed before people knew that there were one-hundred-chapter and one-hundred-twenty-chapter editions of Water Margin. After Zheng Zhenduo and others unearthed what they called the complete edition of Water Margin, Jin Shengtan's seventy-chapter edition of Water Margin was rarely seen again. So, was Jin Shengtan's critical edition of Water Margin "cut"? Why did he cut Water Margin? What did the seventy-chapter edition of Water Margin and Jin Shengtan's critique actually look like? And did the seventy-chapter edition of Water Margin that he critiqued possess unique charm? These questions are believed to be answered after readers finish this critical edition, and they will sincerely admire Jin Shengtan's courage and talent. Moreover, Jin Shengtan's insightful and uniquely expressive critical writings will also refresh readers. The character "personality" theory he proposed holds a unique position in the history of Chinese novel criticism.