| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Encyclopedia of literary translation into English |
| Editors | Olive CLASSE |
| Place of Publication | United States |
| Publisher | Fitzroy Dearborn |
| Pages | 374-375 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Volume | 1 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781884964367 |
| Publication status | Published - 2000 |
Abstract
Few facts are known about the life of Cao Xueqin. His family had been rich but lost its wealth, and Cao was poor when towards the end of his life he wrote his famous novel. Generally believed to be an autobiography of Cao, and threaded with the tragic love story of Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu, the 120-chapter novel depicts the prosperity and decline of an aristocratic clan in the early years of the Qing (Ch'ing) Dynasty (1644-1911). It was regarded as an "obscene book" when it first appeared in the 19th century, but soon gained wide recognition as a great naturalistic love story - indeed, at times, as the Chinese novel. While remaining secure in its canonized position, it was interpreted in the Maoist era as a love story in appearance but an anti-feudalist politico-historical novel in essence.
The first 80 chapters of the work are by Cao Xueqin; it is believed that the last 40 were written wholly or partly by others.
Translations:
Hawkes, David and John Minford, The Story of the Stone: A Chinese Novel, 5 vols, Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1973-86; Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1979-87 (vols 1-3 translated by Hawkes; vols 4-5 translated by Minford)
Joly, H. Bencraft, Hung lou meng: or, The Dream of the Red Chamber: A Chinese Novel, 2 vols, Hong Kong: Kelly and Walsh, 1892-93.
Wang, Chi-chen, The Dream of the Red Chamber, New York: Twayne, 1985; London: Vision Press, 1959 (first published in abridged form, New York: Doran, 1929)
Yang, Hsien-yi and Gladys Yang, A Dream of Red Mansions, 3 vols, Beijing: Foreign Language Press, 1978-80.
The first 80 chapters of the work are by Cao Xueqin; it is believed that the last 40 were written wholly or partly by others.
Translations:
Hawkes, David and John Minford, The Story of the Stone: A Chinese Novel, 5 vols, Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1973-86; Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1979-87 (vols 1-3 translated by Hawkes; vols 4-5 translated by Minford)
Joly, H. Bencraft, Hung lou meng: or, The Dream of the Red Chamber: A Chinese Novel, 2 vols, Hong Kong: Kelly and Walsh, 1892-93.
Wang, Chi-chen, The Dream of the Red Chamber, New York: Twayne, 1985; London: Vision Press, 1959 (first published in abridged form, New York: Doran, 1929)
Yang, Hsien-yi and Gladys Yang, A Dream of Red Mansions, 3 vols, Beijing: Foreign Language Press, 1978-80.