Wonderful Views of Ancient and Modern Times (Illustrated Edition)

Author: (Ming) Bao Weng Laoren
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-09-01
Features: The Marvels of Ancient and Modern Times, consisting of forty volumes, compiled by Bao Weng Laoren during the late Ming Dynasty. This selected collection is curated from the "Three Words" and "Two Snaps," featuring forty outstanding works that essentially embody the core spirit of the "Three Words" and "Two Snaps." It summarizes the artistic achievements of Song, Yuan, and Ming Dynasty storytelling and parables, making it an excellent anthology of ancient vernacular short stories. Most of the works in The Marvels of Ancient and Modern Times possess profound ideological content and strong artistic appeal. Some celebrate the pure and sincere love between young men and women; others praise the unbreakable friendship between friends; some expose the corrupt practices of feudal officials; others scourge the debauched deeds of landlords and wealthy gentry; and some mock the opportunistic sycophants in the marketplaces. The selections emphasize the "odd" aspect, hence the chosen works often depict extraordinary individuals and events from society and the common people. The writing is vivid and the descriptions meticulous, realistically portraying the spiritual outlook and social life of the urban middle class at the time. As for some works with lower artistic standards, that reflects the historical limitations of Feng and Ling. Today's readers can discern this on their own. The Marvels of Ancient and Modern Times exists in late Ming edition; during the Qing Dynasty, reprinted editions were more common, but there are no significant differences in the text.