China's Great Classical Novels 1

Dream of the Red Chamber (红楼梦), also known as Story of the Stone (石头记), written in the mid-18th century by the Qing Dynasty (清朝) writer Cao Xueqin (曹雪芹), is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese Literature (四大名著). The novel, essentially an art fiction, narrates the rise and fall of the four big families Jia (贾), Shi (史), Wang (王) and Xue (薛). In the background, the novel portrays love triangle of the wealthy son Jia Baoyu (贾宝玉) with his female cousin Lin Daiyu (林黛玉) and wife Xue Baochai (薛宝钗). The romance and love tragedy between Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu forms one of the main threads of the book. The novel is often regarded as the greatest novels of Chinese literature. In fact, "Redology" is the term used to describe studies devoted to this novel. As such, understanding this masterpiece is indispensable for learning Chinese language and culture.



The book has 23 chapters, including:

Chapter 1: Daiyu's First Visit to Jiafu (第一章 黛玉进贾府初识宝玉)

Chapter 2: Xue Pan's Abuse and Impunity (第二章 薛蟠仗势欺人免责罚)

Chapter 3: Baoyu and Daiyu (第三章 宝玉秦钟一拍即合 黛玉心思缜密暗伤感)

Chapter 4: Qin Keqing's Poor Health (第四章 秦可卿身体欠安 凤姐遭调戏)

Chapter 5: Lin Ruhai and Daiyu (第五章 林如海病逝黛玉归家 秦氏病逝凤姐打理宁国府)

Chapter 6: Qin Zhong's Death (第六章 元妃省亲 秦钟病逝)

Chapter 7: Bao Dai's Love (第七章 宝黛日久生情 偶遇僧人宝玉病愈)

Chapter 8: Angry Baoyu (第八章 偶遇道士为宝玉提亲 薛林生气)

Chapter 9: Punishing Baoyu (第九章 宝玉受罚)

Chapter 10: Poetry Club (第十章 成立诗社 众人展露才情)

Chapter 11: Grandma Liu (第十一章 刘姥姥再进大观园 笑翻众人)

Chapter 12: Memorial Ceremony (第十二章 宝玉祭奠金钏儿 凤姐生日捉奸)

Chapter 13: Yuanyang Refuses to Marry (第十三章 黛玉病情加重 鸳鸯拒嫁)

Chapter 14: Writing Poetry (第十四章 薛蟠再作恶 黛玉教香菱写诗)



The current book volume, China's Great Classical Novels 1, is a Level 6 Chinese reading practice book. It would introduce you to the famous Chinese story of the Dream of the Red Chamber/Mansion. The 1st volume in the Classical Novels of Chinese Literature (中国古典文学) series includes both the Chinese text (simplified characters) and pinyin Romanization. With about over 1300 unique Chinese characters, the volume would be suitable for the lower intermediate and advanced level Chinese language learners (HSK 3-6). Overall, the reading series offers you a variety of elementary level books (Level 1/2/3/4/5/6) to understand China as well as practice Chinese reading fast.