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Title: An Anthology of Chinese Literature: Beginnings to 1911
ISBN: 0393971066
Author:
Publicate Date: 1997-06
Publish: 1997-06
List Price: $71.75
Average Customer Rating: 3.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $55.09
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $28.78
Amazon Merchant Price: $55.09
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Great book!
This book is REALLY big, so it has plenty of information. If you're into chinese literature or just a little curious there's definitely something inside for you!
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2: Could be better
1. Should include a list that tells readers the original Chinese titles, names, nouns of works, authors, concepts discussed but doesn't. This the most annoying issue.
2. Quality of translation uneven.
3. Doesn't include political-oriented works.
4. Introduction and notes extremely insufficient.
5. It took Norton five tomes (World Masterpieces, English Lit 1 & 2, and American Lit 1 & 2) to include the important works for Anglo-Saxon lit, but one for Chinese lit? We need more people to help Owen and the study of Chinese lit in general.
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3: big drag
"big book, big drag" quipped callimachus some two millenia ago. Though I don't always share his dislike of literary largeness, in this case his words ring cruelly true
The quality of the translations is overall quite poor. That is, one can't tell what is being said. The footnotes don't clear things up, and the introductory notes are often as not simply fatuous. Cyril Branch's anthology from Columbia, though not great, is worlds better than this shoddy magnum opus.
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4: One of the best
This is one of the best translations of classical Chinese literature. One of those that come closest to the spirit of the works translated there. The translator has great command of both classical Chinese and English, as well as a profound understanding and love of Chinese literature. The critical introductions are illuminating--a wonderful fresh perspective, often inspiring; the background introductions concise and useful. This is a "must" for all those who love literature--be it Chinese or English.
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5: One of the best
One of the best translations of classical Chinese literature. The author knows the Chinese well: not just the superficial kind knowledge about the Chinese language, but a deep understanding of the Chinese culture, the Chinese literary tradition. The works are not only arranged in a chronological order (with useful background introductions) but also grouped under themes and motifs with succinct but illuminating critical introductions, or a seductively told story that adds to the pleasure of reading beautiful literary writings. The another great thing about this anthology is, of course, the fact that it is put together by one person, not coming out of diverse hands. This is a significant accomplishment, one that enables the reader to see the styles and nuances of the original works much better than otherwise.
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