Nalan's Ci Poems
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Summary
Editor's review
From an editorial perspective, the value of Nalan's ci lies not only in its artistic achievement but in the emotional resonance that cuts through the ages. Lines such as "If life were only as at first sight" and "At the time, I only thought it ordinary" still touch the heartstrings of modern readers. The arrangement of this book values authenticity while also attending to readability, making it suitable as an introduction to classical literature or for deeper appreciation. The charm of Nalan's ci lies in its use of the most refined language to capture the most universal human emotions—love and loss, meeting and parting, existence and nothingness—which is what allows it to remain alive across more than three hundred years.
For contemporary readers, quietly reading Nalan's ci amid a fast-paced life is a kind of spiritual return and settling. The delicate portrayal of the emotional world and the inquiry into the truth of life in these ci can offer us a mirror for reflecting on our own inner lives. This book is not only a presentation of a literary classic but a window into a rich inner world.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Literature lovers with a strong interest in classical Chinese poetry and ci, especially the Song ci style
- Readers who wish to understand Qing dynasty literature and the spiritual world of Manchu literati more deeply
- Poetry readers who prefer graceful, deeply felt language with a musical quality
- Those looking for literary works that evoke emotional resonance and are suited to quiet, attentive reading
Not a good fit for
- Readers seeking light entertainment or fast-paced narrative
- Readers entirely unfamiliar with classical literary forms and classical Chinese expression who are unwilling to overcome the language barrier
Reading tips
- Read through once first to feel the overall rhythm and emotional atmosphere of the ci; do not rush to understand every allusion
- Read alongside biographical material on Nalan Xingde to better appreciate the deeper meaning of "sorrow" and "feeling" in his ci
- Choose quiet hours to read aloud softly, the better to appreciate the musicality and emotional tension of Nalan's language
About the publisher
Founded in 1985, Shaanxi Sanqin Publishing House focuses on the collation of ancient books and works on literature and history, maintaining a sustained commitment to classical literature and historical reading. Its books in the database consist mainly of collated editions of Chinese classics, such as recent editions of Journey to the West, Dream of the Red Chamber, Water Margin, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms, often issued in complete or multi-volume sets for systematic reading; works such as A New Account of the Tales of the World and Tao'an Mengyi: A Newly Annotated Complete Translation emphasize annotation and popularization. Its author resources include original authors such as Wu Cheng'en, Cao Xueqin, Luo Guanzhong, and Shi Nai'an, as well as critics, editors, and researchers such as Jin Shengtan, Mao Zonggang, Liu Yiqing, and Liu Qiang. Common categories include classical literature, literary appreciation, classic works, historical reading, military studies, and ancient poetry, reflecting a publishing approach that combines the collation of classic texts, critical appreciation, and the popularization of literature and history. As public information is limited, this overview of its publishing directions is based only on the books in the database.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 浮生若梦，为欢几何
- 卷一 只嫌今夜月偏明
- 如梦令
- 天仙子
- 梦江南
- 相见欢
- 昭君怨
- 生查子
- 浣溪沙
- 菩萨蛮
- 减字木兰花
- 采桑子
- 醉桃源
- 画堂春
- 南歌子
- 秋千索
- 浪淘沙
- 木兰花令
- 南乡子
- 鬓云松令
- 鹧鸪天
- 临江仙
- 卷二 莫向横塘问旧游
- 天仙子
- 昭君怨
- 忆王孙
- 转应曲
- 酒泉子
- 生查子
- 点绛唇
- 江城子
- 浣溪沙
- 菩萨蛮
- 采桑子
- 谒金门
- 清平乐
- 河渎神
- 眼儿媚
- 少年游
- 太常引
- 于中好
- 踏莎行
- 临江仙
- 蝶恋花
- 淡黄柳
- 满庭芳
- 满江红
- 琵琶仙
- 百字令
- 台城路
- 疏影
- 风流子
- 摸鱼儿
- 卷三 凭君料理花间课
- 浣溪沙
- 菩萨蛮
- 清平乐
- 菊花新
- 雨中花
- 于中好
- 虞美人
- 金人捧露盘
- 翦湘云
- 木兰花慢
- 水龙吟
- 临江仙
- 潇湘雨
- 金缕曲
- 卷四 谁念西风独自凉
- 望江南
- 菩萨蛮
- 采桑子
- 浣溪沙
- 山花子
- 摊破浣溪沙
- 青衫湿
- 寻芳草
- 于中好
- 减字木兰花
- 虞美人
- 南乡子
- 眼儿媚
- 蝶恋花
- 临江仙
- 东风齐著力
- 沁园春
- 金缕曲
- 青衫湿遍
- 卷五 断肠声里忆平生
- 长相思
- 采桑子
- 点绛唇
- 菩萨蛮
- 一络索
- 洛阳春
- 于中好
- 太常引
- 蝶恋花
- 南楼令
- 月上海棠
- 瑞鹤仙
- 如梦令
- 浣溪沙
- 纳兰性德年谱
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About the author
Nalan Xingde (1655–1685), of the Yehe Nara clan, originally named Chengde, courtesy name Rongruo, style name Lengjia Shanren, was a Manchu of the Plain Yellow Banner and the eldest son of Mingzhu, a grand secretary during the Kangxi reign. A renowned Qing dynasty ci poet, he is known together with Chen Weisong and Zhu Yizun as one of the "Three Great Masters of Qing Ci." His style is clear and graceful, sorrowful and intensely moving; he excelled at using natural imagery to express parting sorrow and reflections on life, in a language both sincere and affecting. His works include Yin Shui Ci, Ce Mao Ji, and Tong Zhi Tang Ji. This library holds 26 of his works, including various editions of Yin Shui Ci and Nalan Ci as well as annotated and selected versions, showing the wide circulation and rich editorial history of his ci. Beyond classical poetry, related readings are often classified under literary appreciation and Eastern philosophy, reflecting readers' interest in the emotion and thought in his work.
