Water Margin. Colorful Collectible Edition

Author: Shi Nai'an (Ming) and Luo Guanzhong
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-01-01
Features: The Water Margin has long been favored by readers of all ages. As early as 1936, Mao Zedong, in a conversation with the renowned American journalist Edgar Snow, said that during his youth, his favorite reading was ancient Chinese legendary novels, and The Water Margin was one of them. He could almost recite many stories from the book and even knew more about them than the elders in his village. To popularize classic literary masterpieces, the author was commissioned by the publisher to condense the original million-word text into a concise ten-thousand-word edition. Striving to remain faithful to the artistic conception and style of the original, the book preserves its authentic essence. It tells stories with plots and details, and portrays characters with distinct personalities and charm. To allow readers to appreciate the artistic charm of the original and enhance their language and literary skills, the text remains largely in the original language, with only some archaic terms converted into modern expressions. Like the original, it retains the dual headings and the chapter-based structure. Over one hundred exquisite illustrations, drawn by a renowned artist, complement the text, vividly recreating the rich social life and profound artistic realm of the masterpiece. It is hoped that the publication of the illustrated (colored treasured edition) of The Water Margin will serve as a bridge for readers to understand the full scope of the original and grasp its essence. The Water Margin has long been favored by readers of all ages. As early as 1936, Mao Zedong, in a conversation with the renowned American journalist Edgar Snow, said that during his youth, his favorite reading was ancient Chinese legendary novels, and The Water Margin was one of them. He could almost recite many stories from the book and even knew more about them than the elders in his village. To popularize classic literary masterpieces, the author was commissioned by the publisher to condense the original million-word text into a concise ten-thousand-word edition. Striving to remain faithful to the artistic conception and style of the original, the book preserves its authentic essence. It tells stories with plots and details, and portrays characters with distinct personalities and charm. To allow readers to appreciate the artistic charm of the original and enhance their language and literary skills, the text remains largely in the original language, with only some archaic terms converted into modern expressions. Like the original, it retains the dual headings and the chapter-based structure. Over one hundred exquisite illustrations, drawn by a renowned artist, complement the text, vividly recreating the rich social life and profound artistic realm of the masterpiece. It is hoped that the publication of the illustrated (colored treasured edition) of The Water Margin will serve as a bridge for readers to understand the full scope of the original and grasp its essence.