The Peony Pavilion: Mudan ting, Second Edition
 | Average Customer Rating: Recommend One of the world's greatest love stories in its first complete English translation, brought up-to-date in this new edition. Cyril Birch has captured all the elegance, lyricism, and subtle humour of this drama by Tang Xianzu, perhaps the finest of the Ming dramatists. One of the world's greatest love stories in its first complete English translation. Cyril Birch has captured all the elegance, lyricism, and subtle humour of this… Product details and pricing info |
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2 Customer Reviews Posted
- a delightful love story with lots of action
- I am not familiar with Chinese literature and this was a wonderful introduction. As just a "read", this had all the action, love and suspense that one could want. It is a very readable translation, and once into the story it became very difficult to set it down. I would recommend it to anyone that likes a delightful story well told.
- 2008-09-07, 1 of 1 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Masterpiece by Chinese "Shakespeare"
- This play was written the same year (1598) Shakespeare wrote "Henry IV, Part II" & "Much Ado About Nothing." IMHO it's comparable - so it's very, very good indeed. It combines a highly poetic love story with the drama of war & considerable comedy. The translation & footnotes make it more accessible than most of Shakespeare, while providing considerable insight into medieval Chinese literature, legend, poetry, & customs. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it & would love to see it performed. Of course, it's not for everyone, but if you like Shakespeare, Marlowe, et al, give this one a try. You might like it even better.
- 2005-07-31, 8 of 8 people found this review helpful, Rated:
