Liu Xinwu Unveils the Ancient Version of "Dream of the Red Chamber"

Author: Liu Xinwu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features:
A groundbreaking revelation that Cao Xueqin did finish Dream of the Red Chamber!
A towering achievement that fully restores the original text of the first 80 chapters!
A major revelation about the last 28 chapters!
Like a hidden snake and faint lines, foreshadowing extends for thousands of miles, restoring the true appearance of the complete Dream of the Red Chamber.
Thoughtful and profound, it captivates at every turn, opening minds with fresh insights on every page.
Share the study of Dream of the Red Chamber, with lively debates seeking friendship, like savoring sugar cane—every step offers endless enjoyment.
The so-called "ancient" Dream of the Red Chamber refers to the pre-Qing manuscript versions. The boundary is marked by the appearance of Cheng Weiyuan's printed edition. All manuscripts before that, in handwritten form, can be considered ancient versions of Dream of the Red Chamber.
Cao Xueqin did finish Dream of the Red Chamber. It was not unfinished, nor did he only write the first 80 chapters. The story needed others to continue it. The 120-chapter popular edition suffers from a major flaw: to "ensure consistency," it forces Cao Xueqin's first 80 chapters to accommodate Gao E's last 40 chapters. This disastrous "compilation" process is not just a poor fit—it's like substituting a peach tree for a plum tree.
Therefore, to truly savor Cao Xueqin's Dream of the Red Chamber, one must read the ancient versions. I earnestly recommend Zhou Hui's edition of Dream of the Red Chamber—it is the culmination of Zhou Ruchang's lifelong dedication to studying the novel and can be considered an authentic text.
This book is divided into three parts, covering:
- The stories of the ancient and popular editions
- A full revelation of the first 80 chapters of the ancient Dream of the Red Chamber
- A revelation of the 81st to 108th chapters of Cao Xueqin's Dream of the Red Chamber