Plain Annotations on Zhuangzi
Tags
Summary
Editor's review
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Enthusiasts who wish to read Zhuangzi's original text systematically but have only a general grounding in classical Chinese
- Students in university Chinese and philosophy programs who need to study the original text
- Readers interested in Daoist thought and traditional Chinese culture seeking an introductory guide
- Slow readers who like to ponder textual meaning in depth while reading with annotations
Not a good fit for
- Scholars seeking highly academic, textually rigorous specialized research works
- Readers who only want a quick overview of Zhuangzi's thought and do not wish to read the original closely
Reading tips
- Read through a single chapter first, then study it closely with the annotations and summaries to experience the fusion of textual meaning and philosophical thought.
- Key chapters such as the seven Inner Chapters can be read repeatedly and considered in reference to Daoist classics such as Laozi.
- Do not insist on fully understanding everything at once while reading; record insights and questions as you go and deepen your understanding gradually.
About the publisher
Zhonghua Book Company is a publisher known for collating ancient texts and academic publishing, with its output centered on Eastern philosophy, culture, classic works, art, and historical reading. Its library contains 532 titles, including Chen Shou's Records of the Three Kingdoms, Guo Qingfan's Collected Commentaries on Zhuangzi, the four-volume Chinese Literature: Four Great Classical Novels, and the two-volume Table of Seal and Clerical Script Forms from Qin, Han, Wei, and Jin. These titles span historical classics, commentaries on the philosophers, classical novels, and philological reference works. Representative authors include Chen Shou, Guo Qingfan, Wu Cheng'en, Shi Nai'an, Cao Xueqin, Luo Guanzhong, Xu Wenwu, and the Hanyu Dazidian character-form group, reflecting a focus on primary sources and scholarly editors. Its publishing character lies in combining authoritative editions and annotated texts with both accessible classics and specialized research. Public information on its fuller catalog is limited; this note describes only the directions evident in the library's holdings.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 出版说明
- 前言
- 内篇
- 逍遥游第一
- 齐物论第二
- 养生主第三
- 人间世第四
- 德充符第五
- 大宗师第六
- 应帝王第七
- 外篇
- 骈拇第八
- 马蹄第九
- 胠箧第十
- 在宥第十一
- 天地第十二
- 天道第十三
- 天运第十四
- 刻意第十五
- 缮性第十六
- 秋水第十七
- 至乐第十八
- 达生第十九
- 山木第二十
- 田子方第二十一
- 知北游第二十二
- 杂篇
- 庚桑楚第二十三
- 徐无鬼第二十四
- 则阳第二十五
- 外物第二十六
- 寓言第二十七
- 让王第二十八
- 盗跖第二十九
- 说剑第三十
- 渔父第三十一
- 列御寇第三十二
- 天下第三十三
FAQ
Does this edition of Zhuangzi Qianshu contain the complete text?
What is the annotation style of this book? Is it suitable for beginners?
What is Mr. Cao Chuji's academic background?
Related on WeRead
Comments
Find this book
This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.
About the author
Cao Chuji is an author about whom limited public information is available. The only work confirmed under this Chinese name is Zhuangzi Qianzhu (A Brief Annotated Edition of Zhuangzi). Classified as literary appreciation, the book is aimed at general readers and centers on annotating and explaining the text of the Zhuangzi, helping readers follow its arguments and literary texture. The word "brief" in the title also suggests a concise, plain annotating style rather than lengthy textual scholarship, making the classic more accessible to beginners. On present evidence, Cao Chuji's output is small, and the book's influence lies mainly in offering a readable popular commentary on this classic and thereby a way into early Daoist thought. Since reliable records of birth and death dates, nationality, education and career are lacking, no biographical outline can be drawn, and no conjecture is offered here; further details may be added when more public information becomes available.
