The Plum in the Golden Vase Volume 3 (of 5): The Aphrodisiac
by Lanling Xiaoxiao Sheng
Chin P'ing Mei (Roy Translation — 3)
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Description
In this third volume of a planned five-volume series, David Roy provides a complete and annotated translation of the famous Chin P'ing Mei, an anonymous sixteenth-century Chinese novel that focuses on the domestic life of His-men Ch'ing, a corrupt, upwardly mobile merchant who maintains a harem of six wives and concubines. This work, known primarily for its erotic realism, is also a landmark in the development of narrative art--not only from a specifically Chinese perspective but also in a show more world-historical context. Written during the second half of the sixteenth century and first published in 1618, The Plum in the Golden Vase is noted for its surprisingly modern technique. With the possible exception of The Tale of Genji (ca. 1010) and Don Quixote (1605, 1615), there is no earlier work of prose fiction of equal sophistication in world literature. Although its importance in the history of Chinese narrative has long been recognized, the technical virtuosity of the author, which is more reminiscent of the Dickens of Bleak House, the Joyce of Ulysses, or the Nabokov of Lolita than anything in earlier Chinese fiction, has not yet received adequate recognition. This is partly because all of the existing European translations are either abridged or based on an inferior recension of the text. This translation and its annotation aim to faithfully represent and elucidate all the rhetorical features of the original in its most authentic form and thereby enable the Western reader to appreciate this Chinese masterpiece at its true worth. Replete with convincing portrayals of the darker side of human nature, it should appeal to anyone interested in a compelling story, compellingly told. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Hsi-men Ch'ing is now wealthier and as horny as ever. He parties constantly, drinking, fornicating and currying favour with various officials, while his various wives and concubines amuse themselves. Hsi-men Ch'ing acquires and increasingly abuses a powerful aphrodisiac from a dubious monk and dabbles in official illegalities. Meanwhile P'an Chin-lien (Golden Lotus) grows morbidly jealous of Li P'ing-erh and her son Kuan-ko.
As with the other volumes of this work, I found the list of characters at the front very helpful; this novel has a huge number of characters. I enjoyed the literary device of the songs and poems which set the mood of the various parties and entertainments, even if the protagonists are unaware.
As with the other volumes of this work, I found the list of characters at the front very helpful; this novel has a huge number of characters. I enjoyed the literary device of the songs and poems which set the mood of the various parties and entertainments, even if the protagonists are unaware.
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53+ Works 1,075 Members
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Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Plum in the Golden Vase Volume 3 (of 5): The Aphrodisiac (of 5)
Classifications
- Genres
- Fiction and Literature, General Fiction, Historical Fiction
- DDC/MDS
- 895.1 — Literature & rhetoric Asian Literature Literatures of East and Southeast Asia Chinese
- LCC
- PL2698 .H73 .C4713 — Language and Literature Languages and literatures of Eastern Asia, Africa, Oceania Languages of Eastern Asia, Africa, Oceania Chinese language and literature Chinese literature Individual authors and works
- BISAC
Statistics
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- 90
- Popularity
- 347,962
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (4.58)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 1
