{"product_id":"a-companion-to-the-story-kenneth-hsien-pai-9780231199452","title":"A Companion to the Story of the Stone: A Chapter-By-Chapter Guide","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Story of the Stone\u003c\/i\u003e (also known as \u003ci\u003eDream of the Red Chamber\u003c\/i\u003e) is widely held to be the greatest work of Chinese literature, beloved by readers ever since it was first published in 1791. The story revolves around the young scion of a mighty clan who, instead of studying for the civil service examinations, frolics with his maidservants and girl cousins. The narrative is cast within a mythic framework in which the protagonist's rebellion against Confucian strictures is guided by a Buddhist monk and a Taoist priest. Embedded in the novel is a biting critique of imperial China's political and social system. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThis book is a straightforward guide to a complex classic that was written at a time when readers had plenty of leisure to sort through the hundreds of characters and half a dozen subplots that weave in and out of the book's 120 chapters. Each chapter of the companion summarizes and comments on each chapter of the novel. The companion provides English-speaking readers--whether they are simply dipping into this novel or intent on a deep analysis of this masterpiece--with the cultural context to enjoy the story and understand its world. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe book is keyed to David Hawkes and John Minford's English translation of \u003ci\u003eThe Story of the Stone\u003c\/i\u003e and includes an index that gives the original Chinese names and terms.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Kenneth Hsien Pai, Susan Chan Egan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0231199457\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780231199452\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Columbia University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 04\/06\/2021\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 312\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.95lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.90h x 6.00w x 0.80d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eChoice\u003c\/i\u003e 04\/01\/2022","brand":"Kenneth Hsien Pai","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":43995309342975,"sku":"9780231199452","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_d147d0e4-09fe-4da2-8c22-088732114c0a.jpg?v=1683335086","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/a-companion-to-the-story-kenneth-hsien-pai-9780231199452","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}