Lessons on Classical Chinese Poetry and Prose cover

Lessons on Classical Chinese Poetry and Prose

Rating 3.6
Word count
128K words
Chapters
79
ISBN
9787569943115

Tags

Summary

Ancient Poetry and Prose Lessons: one book to make you fall in love with classical Chinese poetry and prose.

This book offers incisive interpretation and appreciation of 46 moving, classic poems and prose pieces as well as modern verse.

Some of the content consists of appreciation essays the author wrote in his early years for the flagship program Reading and Appreciation on China National Radio, a program known for having famous people introduce famous works, broadcast by renowned announcers (deeply welcomed by several generations of audiences and known as the "Three Famous" program); some consists of the finest material from the author's classical literature courses at universities; and some is newly written analysis of classic poetry.

China's renowned classical scholar Yuan Xingpei and celebrated calligraphy masters Fan Zeng, Guan Jun and others provided illustrations for the poems and prose, presented in the forms of calligraphy, painting and seal carving. The book also comes with 15 rare early audio recordings, with original voices reproduced by famous announcers Xia Qing, Ge Lan, Lin Ru, Tie Cheng, Fang Ming and others.

One book presents the boundless charm of classical poetry and prose in all directions and from multiple angles.

Editor's review

Ancient Poetry and Prose Lessons is not a simple anthology of poetry appreciation but a general education course in traditional culture carefully designed by Mr. Wang Nengxian for modern readers, grounded in his profound scholarship. The book's greatest distinction lies in its positioning as a "course": it transcends the conventional format of listing works by dynasty or author and builds a learning framework with clear structure, key focal points and interaction. Mr. Wang Nengxian has long devoted himself to cultural policy research and literary criticism, which gives his interpretations both academic rigor and an accessible, popular touch. The selection of classic pieces reflects the editor's dual consideration of the historical value and contemporary significance of poetry and prose, covering not only peaks such as the Book of Songs, the Songs of Chu, Tang poetry and Song ci but also works that embody the Chinese people's spiritual character and wisdom of life. The interpretive sections avoid overly academic textual criticism, focusing instead on clarifying meaning, elucidating artistic conception, connecting with the present, and guiding readers to experience the emotional power and philosophical reflection in classical poetry and prose. For readers who wish to engage systematically with classical literature in a fragmented age yet are daunted by the vastness of the canon, this book offers an excellent entry path and reading map. It is not content to let readers merely "know" some famous pieces but aims to cultivate the ability to "understand" and "savor" classical texts. It is a book that rewards repeated reading and nourishes the spirit.

Who it's for

A good fit for

  • Middle school or university students who want systematic exposure to classical literature but do not know where to begin.
  • Professionals who love traditional culture and wish to improve their appreciation of classical poetry and prose.
  • Primary and secondary school Chinese teachers seeking teaching inspiration and supplementary reading material.
  • General readers interested in exploring traditional Chinese aesthetics and humanistic spirit.

Not a good fit for

  • Professional scholars seeking abstruse academic textual criticism or edition research.
  • Utilitarian readers expecting quick recitation templates or exam-taking techniques.

Reading tips

  1. Read in the order of the book's chapters to appreciate the knowledge framework the editor has constructed.
  2. When reading the original poems and prose, first try to understand them on your own, then compare with the interpretation for deeper gains.
  3. Combine the pieces mentioned in the book with their historical background and the authors' lives for extended reading.

About the publisher

Beijing Times Chinese Press China · Founded in 2011

Beijing Times Chinese Press takes classic works and prose miscellanies as an important publishing direction, along with foreign literature, social novels, Eastern philosophy and art books. Its catalogue includes such Chinese classics as Lu Xun's Call to Arms and Wandering, Xiao Hong's The Field of Life and Death, Zhang Dai's Reminiscences of Tao'an, Yuan Mei's Recipes from the Sui Garden and Hong Yingming's Caigentan, as well as foreign classics such as Ryunosuke Akutagawa's Rashomon. Among its translator resources is Wen Jieruo, whose translations provide reliable support for bringing foreign literary works into the Chinese-speaking world. While organizing traditional texts and reissuing classics, the press pays attention to readability and accessibility of editions, enabling ancient prose, notes and philosophical works to reach contemporary readers. Public information is limited; the above is only a brief account of the publishing directions reflected in the books held in the database.

Contents

  1. 版权信息
  2. 推荐序
  3. 自序
  4. 壹 材与不材之间:庄子的处世哲学
  5. 《庄子·山木》(节选)
  6. 贰 独立不迁的人格颂歌
  7. 《楚辞·橘颂》
  8. 叁 修身养性,才能安身立命
  9. 《女训》 蔡邕
  10. 肆 俯仰天地的生命哲学
  11. 《兰亭集序》 王羲之
  12. 伍 回归自然,躬耕南野
  13. 《归园田居》 陶渊明
  14. 陆 隐者之心,劳者之事
  15. 《庚戌岁九月中于西田获早稻》 陶渊明
  16. 柒 水碧山青画不成,最美不过富春江
  17. 《与朱元思书》 吴均
  18. 捌 隐者情怀,佛家理趣
  19. 《山居秋暝》 王维
  20. 玖 上穷碧落不为仙,俯视洛阳五内煎
  21. 《古风·其十九》 李白
  22. 拾 自由的心灵,自由的人生
  23. 《梦游天姥吟留别》 李白
  24. 拾壹 从积极的“狂人”到消极的“狂人”
  25. 《留别广陵诸公》 李白
  26. 拾贰 干戈离乱中,忧国忧民泪
  27. 《蜀相》 杜甫
  28. 拾叁 妙笔传奇童
  29. 《童区寄传》 柳宗元
  30. 拾肆 命之不存,钱将焉用
  31. 《哀溺文》 柳宗元
  32. 拾伍 集忠奸于尺幅,显美刺于行间
  33. 《集翠裘》 薛用弱
  34. 拾陆 浪漫而瑰丽的爱情诗
  35. 《碧城三首》 李商隐
  36. 拾柒 为伊消得人憔悴
  37. 唐代闺怨诗三首
  38. 拾捌 一样春风一样柳,不同情志不同诗
  39. 唐人咏柳诗三首
  40. 拾玖 血泪铸就的辞章
  41. 《虞美人》 李煜
  42. 贰拾 梦里不知身是客,别时容易见时难
  43. 《浪淘沙》 李煜
  44. 贰拾壹 醉翁之意何在
  45. 《醉翁亭记》 欧阳修
  46. 贰拾贰 悲秋而伤时
  47. 《秋声赋》 欧阳修
  48. 贰拾叁 受之天不若受之人
  49. 《伤仲永》 王安石
  50. 贰拾肆 明月清风,物我两忘
  51. 《前赤壁赋》 苏轼
  52. 贰拾伍 一曲潇洒高雅的青春之歌
  53. 《如梦令·常记溪亭日暮》 李清照
  54. 贰拾陆 农作之辛劳,农家之生趣
  55. 《插秧歌》 杨万里
  56. 贰拾柒 莲叶荷花别样景
  57. 杨万里咏荷诗两首##
  58. 贰拾捌 稻花香里说丰年
  59. 《西江月·夜行黄沙道中》 辛弃疾
  60. 贰拾玖 伤心人别有怀抱
  61. 《青玉案·元夕》 辛弃疾
  62. 叁拾 神鬼也怕恶人
  63. 《艾子杂说·行水》
  64. 叁拾壹 人灵于物
  65. 《司马季主论卜》 刘基
  66. 叁拾贰 用智胜于用力,用人高于自用
  67. 《说虎》 刘基
  68. 叁拾叁 宦官弄权,祸国殃民
  69. 《朝天子·咏喇叭》 王磐
  70. 叁拾肆 爱子有道,教子有方
  71. 《潍县署中与舍弟墨第二书》 郑板桥
  72. 叁拾伍 欲速则不达,躁急者自败
  73. 《小港渡者》 周容
  74. 叁拾陆 风华正茂,指点江山
  75. 《沁园春·长沙》 毛泽东
  76. 叁拾柒 气势磅礴的长征颂歌
  77. 《七律·长征》 毛泽东
  78. 后记
  79. 修订版后记

FAQ

How is this book different from other classical poetry anthologies on the market?
The book's core lies in the structural nature of a "course," emphasizing guidance along a learning path and thought-provoking interpretation rather than a simple compilation of works. It is more like a learned mentor leading you step by step into the world of classical literature.
Which dynasties does the poetry and prose in the book cover?
The coverage is broad, beginning with the Book of Songs and the Songs of Chu from the pre-Qin period, passing through the Han, Wei and Six Dynasties, up to Tang and Song poetry, and including some fine works from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with emphasis on representative works that established the cultural foundation and artistic peaks.
Can I understand it without any foundation in classical Chinese?
Yes. The book provides detailed annotations, translations and appreciation for all selected texts in plain language, designed to lower the reading threshold. Readers need no prior knowledge to begin reading and will naturally build a feel for classical Chinese along the way.

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About the author

王能宪 Author

Wang Nengxian, about whom limited public information is available, is an author known for making classical Chinese literature accessible and for teaching classical poetry and prose. Two of his works are included here: Shishuo Xinyu and A Course in Classical Poetry and Prose, both falling under the categories of classical literature and ancient poetry. Judging from these two books, he writes for general readers, focusing on sorting out and explaining classical texts and canonical poetry and prose, combining his reading experience with textual interpretation in plain, clear language that suits beginners. Shishuo Xinyu deals with the words and deeds of figures in the Wei and Jin periods and the customs of that era, while A Course in Classical Poetry and Prose centers on ancient poetry, ci, and prose, showing that his interest lies in the traditional thread of classical Chinese literature and its transmission through everyday teaching. Details of his life, education, and positions are not publicly confirmed and are therefore not speculated upon here; readers may turn to the two works to understand his approach.

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