Extravagance
Tags
Summary
Editor's review
Who it's for
A good fit for
- General readers interested in the *Shishuo Xinyu* and Wei-Jin anecdotal fiction
- Readers who wish to understand the lifestyle and mores of Wei-Jin powerful clans through specific chapters
- Students of classical Chinese literature using it as supplementary material for close reading of individual chapters
- Readers interested in ancient consumption concepts and the display of power
Not a good fit for
- Beginning readers expecting a systematic general history or a fully annotated edition
- Those who only want long, coherent stories and have no patience for fragmentary anecdotes
Reading tips
- First read through the entire chapter, then select passages such as the contest of wealth between Shi Chong and Wang Kai for close reading, paying attention to characters' speech and actions.
- Read alongside "Jian Se" and "Fen Juan" to compare Liu Yiqing's handling of similar themes across different chapters.
- While reading, note names of objects and institutions as they appear, and verify background with reference works rather than treating the text merely as anecdote.
About the publisher
Bashu Publishing House is a publisher centered on collating and publishing classical Chinese cultural texts, with its main publishing areas covering classical literature, Eastern philosophy, ancient poetry, and educational classics. Its library currently holds 1,075 titles, including representative works such as Dream of the Red Chamber, the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Gathering, Renjian Cihua, and Out to the Frontier, involving authors such as Cao Xueqin, Wang Xizhi, Wang Guowei, Wang Changling, Liu Xie, and Yan Yu. These reflect the publisher's focus on literary classics, poetry criticism, and philosophical readings. Its publishing character lies in working around ancient texts and canonical works, with attention to textual collation and presentation. Public information on its more detailed publishing background and series plans is limited; this introduction is based only on the library's book information.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 汰侈第三十
FAQ
Is "Tai Chi" a standalone essay written by Liu Yiqing?
Can I read this chapter directly without having read the *Shishuo Xinyu*?
Is this book suitable for citation as historical source material?
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About the author
Liu Yiqing, courtesy name Jibo, was a member of the Southern Song imperial clan and a man of letters from Pengcheng (present-day Xuzhou, Jiangsu). He inherited the title Prince of Linchuan and served in posts such as governor of Jingzhou. Of simple temperament and few desires, he liked to gather literary talents around him and presided over the compilation of A New Account of the Tales of the World (Shishuo Xinyu); he also wrote the Youming Lu and other works. As public information on details of his life, including his birth and death years, is limited, his image emerges mainly through his writings. Shishuo Xinyu records in note form the words and deeds of scholars from the late Han to the Eastern Jin, with concise and memorable language that captures character in a few phrases; it has had a lasting influence on later note-style fiction and literati aesthetics. Dozens of related works are held in the collection, commonly classified under classical literature, literary appreciation, and Eastern philosophy, showing the continued circulation of his writings in later reading and research.
