Roulin Wai Shi (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Wu Jingzi (Qing Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: The Story of the Scholars is a satirical novel and a vivid portrayal of social life. As Xingyuan Tuyushi said, it depicts worldly human nature as if casting a bronze tripod to represent things, with all kinds of spirits and demons fully revealed within its pages. It also features several virtuous figures as pillars of society, reviving moral education. When describing gentlemen, it is as if one sees their noble demeanor and hears their profound maxims; when portraying villains, it peels away their souls and captures their mannerisms, going beyond what paintings can achieve. The Wo Xian Grass Hall edition remarks: "Beware of reading The Story of the Scholars—once you finish, you’ll realize that every aspect of daily life is filled with The Story of the Scholars." This shows that The Story of the Scholars uses vivid and lifelike brushwork to accurately reflect society. For this reason, scholars once compared the characters in the book to real historical figures, deducing their artistic prototypes. Some even went to teahouses to experience the world depicted in the novel.