Yanling Sword Dream of the Red Chamber Broken Part Four: Dream of the Red Chamber Broken

Author: Gao Yang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-01-01
Features: "The Fall of the Red Chamber" is a historical novel that integrates Gao Yang's artistic imagination with academic research, depicting the rise and fall of the Cao and Li families from wealthy households to decline and eventual exile to the capital. In the author's words, it tells the "story of Cao Xueqin"—how Cao Xueqin created Jia Baoyu and "Dream of the Red Chamber" through "ten years of hard work," which was the motivation behind Gao Yang's writing of this book. Regarding the long-standing debate over whether "Dream of the Red Chamber" is Cao Xueqin's autobiography, Gao Yang presents his own view in the form of a novel. Insightful readers may compare and reference both, but must remember Gao Yang's warning—never approach "The Fall of the Red Chamber" with the same mindset and perspective as reading "Dream of the Red Chamber." This is the fourth book. It narrates how Cao Xueqin, in his prime, experienced the entire process of his family's ruin, leaving a deep mental scar of the family's decline from prosperity.