The Modernity of Classical Poetry

Name: The Modernity of Classical Poetry
ISBN: 9787108034793

江弱水SDX Joint Publishing Company · ChinaJun 2025

4.3

Word count: 163K words
Chapters: 25
ISBN: 9787108034793

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Summary

This book rereads Chinese classical poetry from the perspective of modern poetics, restating familiar works and offering fresh reinterpretations. Its central argument is that a distinctive tradition — one that diverges from continuous, narrative-driven writing and from didactic, moralizing impulses — had already taken shape in classical Chinese poetry. This tradition begins with the literature of the Southern Dynasties, continues through the Tang poets Du Fu, Li He, and Li Shangyin, and finds further expression in the song lyrics of Zhou Bangyan, Jiang Kui, and Wu Wenying in the Song dynasty. In this way, the book traces an alternative lineage within the classical poetic heritage.

Editor's review

Professor Jiang Ruoshui's The Modernity of Classical Poetry is a work of great scholarly depth and speculative value. It does not simply apply modern theory to classical poetry; rather, it seeks to uncover within the texture of classical poetry an inherent modernity that transcends its era. The book's core contribution lies in breaking the conventional binary opposition between "classical" and "modern," convincingly demonstrating that the works of great poets such as Li Shangyin, Li He, and Du Fu already contain the core aesthetic elements of modern poetry—symbol, suggestion, paradox, and tension. With his profound grounding in classical literature and keen eye for modern poetics, the author conducts an exquisite "intertextual" dialogue, showing readers that certain modern aesthetic experiences we value today have their origins and models deeply rooted in the classical tradition. Reading this book not only yields fresh and profound interpretations of individual poems but also reshapes our understanding of the overall trajectory of Chinese poetry, revealing that classical literature is not a dusty legacy but a living source that continues to participate in the construction of the modern spirit. For any reader who wishes to go beyond surface appreciation and penetrate the core of Chinese poetic aesthetics, this book offers an excellent path and striking illumination.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Literature lovers with a strong interest in classical Chinese poetry who wish to study and reflect on it in depth
University students and researchers in Chinese, comparative literature, or related fields who need to broaden their scholarly horizons
Readers with some knowledge of modern poetic theory (such as symbolism or New Criticism) who are curious about its connection with Chinese tradition
Poets and critics seeking to connect past and present in their creative work or appreciation and to explore the nature of poetic art

Not a good fit for

Beginner readers who only expect light, story-like interpretations or basic materials for memorizing poems
Readers impatient with theoretical or highly academic texts who prefer purely emotional appreciation

Reading tips

It is advisable to first read the introduction and Chapter One to grasp the author's core methodology and overall framework before moving on to chapters on specific poets.
Readers may keep relevant classical poems at hand for comparison, reading and savoring as they go, to verify and experience the author's interpretations firsthand.
The book involves some Western literary theory concepts; if something is unclear, brief consultation is fine, but do not be intimidated—the author's Chinese exposition is itself sufficiently clear and powerful.

About the publisher

SDX Joint Publishing Company China · Founded in 1932

SDX Joint Publishing Company is a publisher known for its humanities and social science titles, covering classics, culture, history, social fiction and politics. Its catalogue of 826 books includes Chinese and foreign literary classics such as The Scholars, Camel Xiangzi and Selected Short Stories of Chekhov, scholarly works such as Studies of Chinese Cave Temples, A Study of the Tuoba History (Revised Edition) and The Nine-Rank System: A Prehistory of the Imperial Examination, and translations such as Red Star Over China and Notes from the House of the Dead. Its authors include renowned Chinese and foreign writers such as Wu Jingzi, Lao She, Su Bai and Chekhov, as well as scholars and translators such as Chen Xiaoming, Wang Benhua, Guo Changbao and Zhu Xiansheng. Its publishing character lies in balancing the popularisation of classics with academic depth, with attention to textual quality and the transmission of knowledge.

版权信息
绪论
一
二
三
四
五
第一部分南朝文学篇·概说
第一章颓加荡
第二章讹而新
第三章断续性
第四章互文性
第二部分唐诗篇·概说
第五章晚期杜甫：独语与冥想
外一章苦功通神：杜甫与瓦雷里、艾略特论诗之相契
第六章李贺：颓废的混乱
第七章李商隐：互文的奇观
第三部分宋词篇·概说
第八章周邦彦：染织的绮语
第九章姜夔：从镜像到心像
第十章吴文英：语言的魔障
余论从“五四”到三十年代：传统的重估与转生
主要参考书目
后序一
后序二

FAQ

What is the book's Douban rating and how do readers evaluate it?

According to available information, the book has received a relatively high rating on Douban (the exact score may fluctuate, usually above 8.5) and is widely regarded as a pioneering and inspiring work in its field. Reader reviews often praise its unique perspective, rigorous argumentation, and insight, which greatly refresh one's understanding of classical poetry.

What is the author Jiang Ruoshui's academic background?

Jiang Ruoshui is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the College of Media and International Culture, Zhejiang University. He mainly researches modern poetics, comparative poetics, and modern interpretations of classical Chinese poetry. He combines a deep foundation in Chinese learning with a broad international academic vision, and his writings enjoy a good reputation among scholars and readers alike; The Modernity of Classical Poetry is one of his representative works.

Is the book's content very obscure and difficult?

This is a serious academic work with a certain theoretical depth and threshold; it is not a popular introduction. However, the author's writing is clear and fluent, and the discussion is combined with extensive analysis of specific poetic texts. As long as readers have a basic understanding of and interest in classical poetry and are willing to follow the author's reasoning, they can gain a highly inspiring reading experience.

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About the author

江弱水 Author

Jiang Ruoshui is a Chinese author about whom limited public biographical information is available. Six of his works are included in the collection, spanning classical poetry, literary appreciation, and prose. His representative titles include Tang Poetry of Fuchun and The Modernity of Classical Poetry, which bring classical poetics into dialogue with modern perspectives; The Eight Lessons of Poetry, an accessible introduction for general readers; and Collected Thoughts on Poetic Ideas and Style (Hanyuan New Poetry Criticism Series), which reflects his critical writing. Heaven's Abyss: Twelve Essays on Lu Xun shows his reading and research extending into modern literature, while Lying In (Sofa Library: The Human World) reveals his essayistic style. Overall, his writing combines scholarly grounding with readability, using close reading and the essay form to connect classical poetry with modern experience, helping readers understand poetic ideas and develop their appreciation of literature.