Battles, Betrayals, and Brotherhood: Early Chinese Plays on the Three Kingdoms

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Battles, Betrayals, and Brotherhood: Early Chinese Plays on the Three Kingdoms
Authors and Contributors      Translated by Wilt L. Idema
Translated by Stephen H. West
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:501
Dimensions(mm): Height 229,Width 153
Category/GenreLiterary studies - general
ISBN/Barcode 9781603848138
ClassificationsDewey:895.12008
Audience
General

Publishing Details

Publisher Hackett Publishing Co, Inc
Imprint Hackett Publishing Co, Inc
Publication Date 15 September 2012
Publication Country United States

Description

No cycle of historical legends has enjoyed greater or more enduring popularity in China than that of the Three Kingdoms, which recounts the dramatic story of the civil wars (c. AD 180-220) that divided the old Han empire into the Shu-Han, Wei, and Wu states, and the eventual reunification of the realm under the Western Jin in AD 280.

Author Biography

Wilt L. Idema is Professor of Chinese Literature, Harvard University. Stephen H. West is Foundation Professor of Chinese, Arizona State University.

Reviews

Beginning with the swearing of brotherhood in the Peach Orchard and continuing on to the most famous battles and betrayals of the Three Kingdoms era, this selection of expertly translated plays enables readers to discover how the major heroes of the legend were portrayed on the Yuan and Ming stage. Informative introductions and annotations enhance enjoyment of the plays, as do appendices that expand on the core selections by providing alternate versions of some famous episodes. Translations of selected incidents from a popular history, the Sanguo zhi pinghua, enable comparisons between a popular historical account of these heroes careers and dramas about them. [This book is] indispensable as a companion to translations of the classic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, as a student introduction to Chinese culture and theater, or as a guide for any readers simply interested in Three Kingdoms lore." Catherine Swatek, University of British Columbia Battles, Betrayals, and Brotherhood is a brilliant introduction to one of Chinas best-loved heroic traditions. And of course the translations are wonderfulvery lively!" Katherine Carlitz, University of Pittsburgh