Cao Xueqin

Sueño en el Pabellón Rojo es el gran clásico de la literatura china, «la novela más famosa de una literatura casi tres veces milenaria», como afirmó Borges, un libro imperecedero. El bello y trágico

Sueño en el Pabellón Rojo es el gran clásico de la literatura china, «la novela más famosa de una literatura casi tres veces milenaria», como afirmó Borges, un libro imperecedero. El bello y trágico

Este es el gran clásico de la literatura china, "la novela más famosa de una literatura casi tres veces milenaria", como afirmó Borges, un libro imperecedero. El bello y trágico relato de los desvelos amorosos de Jia Baoyu y Lin Daiyu en la China del siglo XVIII, en el crepúsculo de un esplendor feudal que ya no es más que un sueño.

A masterpiece of 18th centurys Chinese literature. The novel that describes the life of two wealthy and aristocratic branches of the Jia clan and their gradual decline and the fall from grace.

Cao Xueqins The Dream of the Red Chamber is a masterpiece of Chinese literature, depicting the rise and fall of the Jia family in the Qing Dynasty. The novel intricately weaves a complex tapestry of relationships, politics, and societal norms, highlighting traditional Chinese culture and values. Written in a poetic and lyrical style, the book captures the essence of human emotions and the fleeting nature of life. Set against the backdrop of a decaying noble family, the story is a timeless exploration of love, loss, and destiny. This literary classic is a must-read for anyone interested in Chinese literature or historical fiction. The detailed character development and vivid descriptions paint a vivid picture of the social structure and customs of the time. Cao Xueqin, a Qing Dynasty writer, drew inspiration from his own familys experiences and the political instability of the era to create this epic tale. His deep understanding of Chinese culture and society shines through in the intricate plot and richly developed characters. The Dream of the Red Chamber stands as a testament to Cao Xueqins literary genius and his ability to capture the essence of life in 18th-century China. I highly recommend The Dream of the Red Chamber to readers looking for a captivating and immersive literary experience. Cao Xueqins masterpiece offers a glimpse into the intricacies of Chinese society and the timeless themes of love, power, and fate. This novel is a true treasure of world literature that continues to captivate readers with its timeless wisdom and profound insights.

Sueño en el Pabellón Rojo es el gran clásico de la literatura china, ''la novela más famosa de una literatura casi tres veces milenaria'', como afirmó Borges, un libro imperecedero. El bello y trágico relato de los desvelos amorosos de Jia Baoyu y Lin Daiyu en la China del siglo xviii, en el crepusculo de un esplendor feudal que ya no es mas que un sueño, no solo constituye un abanico de todas las pasiones humanas, en el que se entremezclan dulzura y crueldad, sino que es a la vez una cronica deslumbrante de los claroscuros de la sociedad y la cultura de la China imperial. ''Cada palabra me ha costado una gota de sangre'', afirmo Cao Xueqin. Desde que la novela comenzara a circular en China en copias manuscritas que se vendian en ferias y mercados tras la muerte de Cao Xueqin, cuando este contaba apenas cuarenta años y se hallaba en la miseria, Sueño en el Pabellon Rojo se ha convertido en una de las obras fundamentales de la literatura universal.Sueño en el Pabellón Rojo es el gran clásico de la literatura china, ''la novela más famosa de una literatura casi tres veces milenaria'', como afirmó Borges, un libro imperecedero. El bello y trágico relato de los desvelos amorosos de Jia Baoyu y Lin Daiyu en la China del siglo xviii, en el crepusculo de un esplendor feudal que ya no es mas que un sueño, no solo constituye un abanico de todas las pasiones humanas, en el que se entremezclan dulzura y crueldad, sino que es a la vez una cronica deslumbrante de los claroscuros de la sociedad y la cultura de la China imperial. ''Cada palabra me ha costado una gota de sangre'', afirmo Cao Xueqin. Desde que la novela comenzara a circular en China en copias manuscritas que se vendian en ferias y mercados tras la muerte de Cao Xueqin, cuando este contaba apenas cuarenta años y se hallaba en la miseria, Sueño en el Pabellon Rojo se ha convertido en una de las obras fundamentales de la literatura universal.

The Dream of the Red Chamber provides a detailed, episodic record of life in the two branches of the wealthy, aristocratic Jia clanthe Rongguo House and the Ningguo Housewho reside in two large, adjacent family compounds in the capital. Their ancestors were made Dukes and given imperial titles, and as the novel begins the two houses are among the most illustrious families in the city. One of the clans offspring is made a Royal Consort, and a lush landscaped garden is built to receive her visit. In the novels frame story, a sentient Stone, abandoned by the goddess Nuwa when she mended the heavens aeons ago, begs a Taoist priest and a Buddhist monk to take it with them to see the world.

Este es el gran clásico de la literatura china, "la novela más famosa de una literatura casi tres veces milenaria", como afirmó Borges, un libro imperecedero. El bello y trágico elato de los desvelos amorosos de Jia Baoyu y Lin Daiyu en la China del siglo XVIII, en el crepúsculo de un esplendor feudal que ya no es más que un sueño

"...The Empress Nu Wo, (the goddess of works,) in fashioning blocks of stones, for the repair of the heavens, prepared, at the Ta Huang Hills and Wu Chi cave, 36,501 blocks of rough stone, each twelve chang in height, and twenty-four chang square. Of these stones, the Empress Wo only used 36,500; so that one single block remained over and above, without being turned to any account. This was cast down the Ching Keng peak. This stone, strange to say, after having undergone a process of refinement, attained a nature of efficiency, and could, by its innate powers, set itself into motion and was able to expand and to contract.When it became aware that the whole number of blocks had been made use of to repair the heavens, that it alone had been destitute of the necessary properties and had been unfit to attain selection, it forthwith felt within itself vexation and shame, and day and night, it gave way to anguish and sorrow.One day, while it lamented its lot, it suddenly caught sight, at a great distance, of a Buddhist bonze and of a Taoist priest coming towards that direction. Their appearance was uncommon, their easy manner remarkable. When they drew near this Ching Keng peak, they sat on the ground to rest, and began to converse. But on noticing the block newly-polished and brilliantly clear, which had moreover contracted in dimensions, and become no larger than the pendant of a fan, they were greatly filled with admiration. The Buddhist priest picked it up, and laid it in the palm of his hand."Your appearance," he said laughingly, "may well declare you to be a supernatural object, but as you lack any inherent quality it is necessary to inscribe a few characters on you, so that every one who shall see you may at once recognise you to be a remarkable thing. And subsequently, when you will be taken into a country where honour and affluence will reign, into a family cultured in mind and of official status, in a land where flowers and trees shall flourish with luxuriance, in a town of refinement, renown and glory; when you once will have been there"The stone listened with intense delight..."

Sueño en el Pabellón Rojo es el gran clásico de la literatura china, ''la novela más famosa de una literatura casi tres veces milenaria'', como afirmó Borges, un libro imperecedero. El bello y trágico relato de los desvelos amorosos de Jia Baoyu y Lin Daiyu en la China del siglo XVIII, en el crepusculo de un esplendor feudal que ya no es mas que un sueño, no solo constituye un abanico de todas las pasiones humanas, en el que se entremezclan dulzura y crueldad, sino que es a la vez una cronica deslumbrante de los claroscuros de la sociedad y la cultura de la China imperial. ''Cada palabra me ha costado una gota de sangre'', afirmo Cao Xueqin. Desde que la novela comenzara a circular en China en copias manuscritas que se vendian en ferias y mercados tras la muerte de Cao Xueqin, cuando este contaba apenas cuarenta años y se hallaba en la miseria, Sueño en el Pabellon Rojo se ha convertido en una de las obras fundamentales de la literatura universal.Sueño en el Pabellón Rojo es el gran clásico de la literatura china, ''la novela más famosa de una literatura casi tres veces milenaria'', como afirmó Borges, un libro imperecedero. El bello y trágico relato de los desvelos amorosos de Jia Baoyu y Lin Daiyu en la China del siglo XVIII, en el crepusculo de un esplendor feudal que ya no es mas que un sueño, no solo constituye un abanico de todas las pasiones humanas, en el que se entremezclan dulzura y crueldad, sino que es a la vez una cronica deslumbrante de los claroscuros de la sociedad y la cultura de la China imperial. ''Cada palabra me ha costado una gota de sangre'', afirmo Cao Xueqin. Desde que la novela comenzara a circular en China en copias manuscritas que se vendian en ferias y mercados tras la muerte de Cao Xueqin, cuando este contaba apenas cuarenta años y se hallaba en la miseria, Sueño en el Pabellon Rojo se ha convertido en una de las obras fundamentales de la literatura universal.

The Dream of the Red Chamber, an exquisite masterpiece by Cao Xueqin, delves deep into the lives of the Jia family, weaving a rich tapestry of love, ambition, and the inevitable decay of aristocracy in 18th-century China. The novel is notable for its intricate character development and vivid prose, employing an allegorical literary style that reflects the complexities of human emotions and societal dynamics. Framed within the context of a declining feudal system, the narrative simultaneously serves as a critique of Confucian values and explores themes of fate, illusion, and the transient nature of life, rendering it a cornerstone of Chinese literature. Cao Xueqin, a descendant of a once-wealthy family, experienced the profound loss of status and wealth, which catalyzed his writing. Born into a life of privilege that shrank into poverty, his personal experiences of familial disintegration and the fleeting nature of happiness manifest vividly throughout the novel. His rich cultural background and keen observations of the society around him provide a poignant authenticity to the lives of his characters, making their struggles both universal and timeless. The Dream of the Red Chamber is not just a novel; it is an invitation to explore the intricacies of human relationships and societal norms. Readers seeking to immerse themselves in a world of beauty, tragedy, and introspection will find this work both enlightening and profoundly moving. It stands as a testament to the human condition, making it essential reading for anyone interested in literary depth and historical significance.

El sueño del pabellón rojo.

Divided into five volumes, of which The Warning Voice is the third, it charts the glory and decline of the illustrious Jia family (a story which closely accords with the fortunes of the author's own family). The two main characters, Bao-yu and Dai-yu, are set against a rich tapestry of humour, realistic detail and delicate poetry, which accurately reflects the ritualized hurly-burly of Chinese family life. But over and above the novel hangs the constant reminder that there is another plane of existence - a theme which affirms the Buddhist belief in a supernatural scheme of things.

The Dream of the Red Chamber, a cornerstone of Chinese literature, intricately weaves a tapestry of family dynamics, societal expectations, and the intricacies of love within the framework of 18th-century Qing Dynasty China. Cao Xueqin employs a rich literary style, characterized by lyrical prose, vivid imagery, and profound psychological depth, to illustrate the poignant realities of human existence. The narrative, which revolves around the rise and fall of the Jia family, delves into themes of fate, fleeting beauty, and the illusory nature of wealth, thus positioning itself against the backdrop of a society grappling with change and decline. Cao Xueqin, born into a once-illustrious family that faced financial ruin, infused his own life experiences into this semi-autobiographical work. His background provided him with a keen insight into the complexities of social hierarchy and familial affections, which serve as the novels backbone. Furthermore, his deep engagement with Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucian philosophy informs the metaphysical undercurrents that permeate the narrative, making it a reflective exploration of existence. I highly recommend The Dream of the Red Chamber to readers who seek a profound exploration of human emotions and societal complexities. Its nuanced characters and intricate plot will captivate those interested in classic literature, offering timeless wisdom that resonates well beyond its historical context.

Tr.: H. Bencraft Joly

Tr.: H. Bencraft Joly