Description

“One of the great novels of world literature…to the Chinese as Proust is to the French or Karamazov to the Russians.” –Anthony West, literary critic Dream of the Red Chamber is renowned for its epic scope, rich psychological characterizations and telling observations on family life and the role of women in Chinese society. It is widely regarded as the greatest work of Chinese literature and one of the greatest works of world literature.

The “red chamber” refers to a sheltered area in wealthy Chinese households where daughters were confined until they married–a veritable prison where dreams of true love wither. This sweeping tale tells of the rise and fall of rival branches of the wealthy Jia family, who live in lavish adjacent compounds surrounded by a lush, private garden.

The story opens with the birth of Jia Baoyu, heir apparent and darling of the women in the Jia household. A free-thinker and idealist, Baoyu soon rebels against his stern father, who refuses to allow his son to pursue a romantic affair with Lin Daiyu–a headstrong and intelligent woman who shares his love of music and poetry. Baoyu is forced instead to marry Xue Baochai, an equally talented woman but someone with whom he has no emotional connection. The fates of the two lovers and their families slowly unravel as this tragic story unfolds.

Dream of the Red Chamber, although written by a man, is said to be one of the first great works of women’s literature. The author, Cao Xueqin, is thought to have written the novel as a memorial to the inspiring women he knew in his youth: friends.