Zeng Guofan (Revised Edition) (Volumes 1, 2, and 3)

Author: Tang Haoming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: The publication of a long historical novel has evoked such a strong response that some say it is almost a miracle. The reason lies in part in the fact that Zeng Guofan, a figure of immense influence in modern Chinese history, had been largely ignored for over half a century until this book brought him back into public attention. However, the more significant factor is the effort of the author, Kang Haoming. While there have been historical novels centered on Zeng Guofan before, Tang Haoming, after meticulously studying him for nearly two decades, has achieved a unique insight and profound scholarship. He has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and now, with rich historical materials as his foundation and solid literary expertise as his tool, has meticulously crafted this work after five years of effort.
This book is highly innovative in its choice of subject matter and its portrayal of historical figures. The author transcends the traditional views of Zeng Guofan as either a "complete man" or a "traitor and executioner of the Han people," instead exploring the protagonist's inner journey through reflections on the historicalization of cultural relics. It avoids simplistic moral judgments, adhering to the principle of "major events are not exaggerated, minor details are not strictly adhered to" in its treatment of historical facts. By employing various artistic techniques, the protagonist is placed in the midst of conflicts, rising and falling in the whirlpool of the era, experiencing joy and sorrow, prosperity and decline. This successfully creates a literary image of a late Qing official with complex, multifaceted personalities, embodying both virtues and faults.
The work also portrays vividly a cast of characters, including Zuo Zongtang, Li Hongzhang, and Li Xiu-cheng, each with distinct personalities. The novel is grand in scope, profound in theme, elegant in language, and accurately depicts historical rituals, cultural relics, and local customs, making it a epic work with a strong national and regional flavor, truly embodying the spirit of Chinese literature.