Dream in Peony Pavilion (Chinese-English Edition) – The Classic Chinese Opera by Tang Xianzu, Translated by Xu Yuanchong

Product Description:

A Tale of Love That Conquers All

Written by Tang Xianzu (1550–1616), a contemporary of Shakespeare, The Peony Pavilion is one of the crowning jewels of Chinese classical opera. It tells the legendary story of Du Liniang, a young woman who falls in love with a scholar in a vivid dream. Upon waking, she is consumed by a longing so deep that it leads to her death, only to be resurrected by the power of love to reunite with her soulmate. It is a powerful celebration of emotion, defying the rigid social and moral codes of feudal China-1-2.

This Bilingual Edition Features:

• World-Class Translation: This edition is translated by Xu Yuanchong (1921–2021), the celebrated Peking University professor who was the first Asian winner of the international "Aurora Borealis" Prize for Outstanding Translation. He is renowned for his unique ability to translate Chinese poetry into English verse with rhyme and rhythm-1-6.

• True Bilingual Format: The book is presented in a clear Chinese-English format, making it an invaluable resource for language learners, sinologists, and anyone wanting to appreciate the original text alongside a masterful translation-2-8.

• Award-Winning Series: This book is part of the "Classical Chinese Poetry and Prose" series, which received a nomination for the 5th China Outstanding Publication Award in 2015-6-10.

• Exquisite Hardcover: A beautifully bound hardcover edition, ideal for personal libraries and as a thoughtful gift for those interested in Eastern philosophy and classic literature-2-11.

Why Read The Peony Pavilion?

• Cultural Significance: Often compared to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, this work is a cornerstone of Chinese culture and a must-read for understanding the nuances of Chinese aesthetics and romantic ideals-1-12.

• Literary Mastery: This translation is not just a literal translation but a lyrical adaptation that captures the "beauty in sound, sense, and form" of the original, a concept Xu Yuanchong championed throughout his career