Tao Qian and the Chinese Poetic Tradition: The Quest for Cultural Identity (Michigan Monographs in Chinese Studies) [Paperback]

Charles Kwong (Author)

Book Description

Series: Michigan Monographs in Chinese Studies | Publication Date: January 1, 1995

Selected for CHOICE's list of Outstanding Academic Books for 1995.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Center for Chinese Studies, The Universi (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892641096
• ISBN-13: 978-0892641093
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,263,077 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars nice book but miss filed, July 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tao Qian and the Chinese Poetic Tradition: The Quest for Cultural Identity (Michigan Monographs in Chinese Studies) (Paperback)

As the title says.... this is not a poetry book but a book of poetry criticism. Might be good to buy if you have a questions after reading David Hinton's T'ao Ch'ien.

1.0 out of 5 stars T'ao Ch'ien deserves better, October 7, 2005

By 

Michael Longfellow (LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tao Qian and the Chinese Poetic Tradition: The Quest for Cultural Identity (Michigan Monographs in Chinese Studies) (Paperback)

This book is more about T'ao Ch'ien the man than about T'ao Ch'ien the poet or his poetry. It is so full of cliches and pieties that it does not do justice to the poet T'ao Ch'ien at all. If you are interested in T'ao Ch'ien's poetry, James Hightower's book on T'ao Ch'ien, though published years ago, is still one of the best, offering fine translation and detailed, thoughtful analysis of each poem.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterful Study, June 29, 2002

By 

David Dement (Temple City, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tao Qian and the Chinese Poetic Tradition: The Quest for Cultural Identity (Michigan Monographs in Chinese Studies) (Hardcover)

This is the best study of any Chinese poet ever written in English. Kwong is not only a passionate advocate of Tao Qian's poetry; he also places Tao firmly within the cultural context of his time, compares his work with other great Chinese and western poets, and, finally, makes a strong case for Tao Qian as one of the very greatest poets ever. If you have any interest in poetry, Chinese history, or Chinese literature, read this book!