{"product_id":"9781912392018","title":"The Complete Dramatic Works of Tang Xianzu","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eThe Complete Dramatic Works of Tang Xianzu\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor(s): Tang Xianzu\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eTang Xianzu (1550–1616) is acclaimed as the 'Shakespeare of the East' and widely regarded as China's greatest playwright, yet his work has not reached Western readers in its entirety.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Complete Dramatic Works of Tang Xianzu \u003c\/i\u003erepresents a literary landmark: this is the first English-language collection of the revered dramatist's most important works to be made available outside China.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTranslated over two decades, the collection showcases the playwright's major pieces, including \u003ci\u003eThe Purple Flute\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Purple Hairpins\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Nanke Dream\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Handan Dream\u003c\/i\u003e – and \u003ci\u003eThe Peony Pavilion\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Peony Pavilion\u003c\/i\u003e is the playwright's most celebrated work and has drawn comparisons to Homer's \u003ci\u003eOdyssey\u003c\/i\u003e, Virgil's \u003ci\u003eAeneid\u003c\/i\u003e, Dante's \u003ci\u003eDivine Comedy\u003c\/i\u003e and John Milton's \u003ci\u003eParadise Lost\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKnown for his lyrical use of metaphor, Tang Xianzu weaves the beauty of nature with the tragedy of emotion. His plays offer an extensive exploration of love, and remain at the heart of Chinese culture. This important collection represents an opportunity for a wider audience to discover the profound and poetic works of this classic playwright.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview(s):\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Shakespeare of the East.\" - President Xi Jinping\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"[Tang Xianzu’s] \u003ci\u003eThe Peony Pavilion\u003c\/i\u003e is China’s most popular play… a deeply emotional and poetic work considered as the Ming dynasty’s literary high point.\" - \u003ci\u003eCulture Trip\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The very moment William Shakespeare was sitting down to pen Romeo and Juliet, a Ming-dynasty Mandarin called Tang Xianzu was composing the most celebrated epic of Chinese opera.\" - \u003ci\u003eThe Independent\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"One needs to read beyond \u003ci\u003ePeony Pavilion\u003c\/i\u003e to fully grasp the fascinatingly complex world of Tang Xianzu's \u003ci\u003eFour Dreams\u003c\/i\u003e and truly appreciate his literary mastery.\" - Tian Yuan Tan, Professor of Chinese Studies, SOAS University of London\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN:  9781912392018\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ","brand":"Bloomsbury China","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":40698878361806,"sku":"9781912392018","price":85.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/pickwickbookshop.com\/products\/9781912392018","provider":"Pickwick Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}