Huang Lin said Jin Ping Mei (Figure and Text)

Author: Huang Lin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: Do you want to understand the pathological aspects of real Chinese society? Do you want to savor the mysteries of traditional novel art? Renowned scholar Huang Lin opens the door to The Golden Lotus for you, allowing us to see within the masterfully crafted artistic world of Xi Xiaosheng, where officials and merchants like Simen Qing rise to power, ascend the ranks, engage in corruption, dominate their regions, and yet remain unstoppable in their demise; women like Pan Jinlian are crushed by a vicious society, struggling for their fate as their humanity twists and fades, harming others while consuming themselves, destroying youth and beauty. He portrays a world of ignorant emperors, corrupt officials, decadent scholars, shameless hangers-on, despicable monks and nuns, lecherous wives and concubines, greedy courtesans, and deceitful servants, painting a picture of utter darkness. It makes one yearn for a world of brightness and justice, and also prompts us, as individuals, to contemplate how to position ourselves amidst the conflicts between the mundane and the divine, the individual and society, and humanity and nature.