Complete Collection of Li Qingzhao’s Poetry (English-Chinese Edition): 96 Poems & Fragments, Translated by Zhu Manhua

Why this book belongs on your shelf

Li Qingzhao is widely regarded as China's greatest female poet. She lived over 900 years ago during the Song Dynasty, and her words are still recited today. She wrote about the joy of youth, the sweetness of love, the pain of separation, and the loneliness of old age. Nine centuries later, her emotions still hit home.

This book does three things that matter especially for readers outside China:

First, it's a complete collection. Many Li Qingzhao anthologies include only a dozen or so famous pieces. This one contains all 96 of her known poems, including scattered lines and fragments quoted in classical texts that compiler Zhu Manhua tracked down and translated. Whatever you want to read by Li Qingzhao, it's likely here.

Second, it's bilingual. Chinese original on one side, English translation on the other — no dictionary needed. Translator Zhu Manhua received the "Senior Translator" certification from the Translators Association of China in 1995. His translations are plain and readable, not the kind of word-for-word rendering that sounds like a machine wrote it. His goal was simple: let readers who don't know Chinese feel the beauty of the poetry.

Third, it includes notes and context. Reading the poems alone isn't enough — you also want to know why Li Qingzhao wrote what she wrote and what was happening in her life. The book provides translated historical background for the poems, and clearly marks disputed or incomplete works. If you're interested in Chinese history, these notes make the reading experience much richer.

Who is this for?

• Poetry lovers curious about non-Western classics

• Chinese learners who want to improve reading through real literature

• Anyone interested in Chinese culture and Song Dynasty history

• People looking for a culturally meaningful gift