The celebrated English translation of this classic work of Chinese literature is now available in an updated paperback edition. Written in 1598 by Tang Xianzu, The Peony Pavilion is one of literature's most memorable love stories and a masterpiece of Ming drama. Cyril Birch has captured all the elegance, lyricism, and subtle, earthy humor of this panoramic tale of romance and Chinese society. When Indiana University Press first published the text in 1981, it seemed doubtful that the work would ever be performed in its entirety again, but several spectacular and controversial productions have toured the world in recent years. For this second edition, which contains a fully revised text of the translation, Cyril Birch and Catherine Swatek reflect on contemporary performances of the play in light of its history.

The Peony Pavilion: Mudan Ting

Literature & Fiction

Xianzu, Tang

Tang, Xianzu

Dramas & Plays

Indiana University Press

This complete translation of one of Chinese literature’s classic love stories, in a paperback edition, is perfect for literature lovers and for course adoption. A classic drama from the late Ming period (16th century), the play recounts the story of Bridal Dy who dreams of an idealized lover; but, without hope of ever meeting him, she perishes from unrequited passion. She seems doomed to wander as a ghost, forever seeking her dream-lover, until he at last discovers her self-portrait--he has also dreamed of her, and now his love for her miraculously restores her to life. Besides these memorable lovers, the playwright also populates his drama with hilarious caricatures of military people, illiterate but worldly servants, "barbarians," Confucian scholars, and examination candidates.

The Peony Pavilion

Cheng Tsui Co.

Tang 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.
The Complete Dramatic Works of Tang Xianzu represents a literary landmark: this is the first English-language collection of the revered dramatist's most important works to be made available outside China.
Translated over two decades, the collection showcases the playwright's major pieces, including The Purple Flute, The Purple Hairpins, The Nanke Dream, The Handan Dream – and The Peony Pavilion.
The Peony Pavilion is the playwright's most celebrated work and has drawn comparisons to Homer's Odyssey, Virgil's Aeneid, Dante's Divine Comedy and John Milton's Paradise Lost.
Known 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.

The Complete Dramatic Works of Tang Xianzu

Bloomsbury China

This complete translation of one of Chinese literature’s classic love stories, in a paperback edition, is perfect for literature lovers and for course adoption. A classic drama from the late Ming period (16th century), the play recounts the story of Bridal Dy who dreams of an idealized lover; but, without hope of ever meeting him, she perishes from unrequited passion. She seems doomed to wander as a ghost, forever seeking her dream-lover, until he at last discovers her self-portrait--he has also dreamed of her, and now his love for her miraculously restores her to life. Besides these memorable lovers, the playwright also populates his drama with hilarious caricatures of military people, illiterate but worldly servants, "barbarians," Confucian scholars, and examination candidates.

Foreign Languages Press

Du Liniang has a dream in which she meets a young scholar and promises to marry him. When she wakes up, she yearns for her lover and falls ill; after a while she dies of lovesickness. The young scholar in her dream was Liu Mengmei, who later made his way to the capital to take the imperial examination. He meets Du Liniang's soul in Plum in Blossom Nunnery and agrees to help her return to life by reuniting her soul with her body. They are successful and live happily ever after.

The Peony Pavilion (Classical Chinese Love Stories)

Reference

Shan, Cao

Peihua, Kuang

Minjie, Zhang

Encyclopedias & Subject Guides

New World Press

El Pabellón de las Peonías: o Historia del alma que regresó

Editorial Trotta, S.A.

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