The Short Essays of the Ming and Qing Dynasties

English

Hardback - 250 pages

ISBN: 9781844642335 Ebook ISBN: 9781844642342 £65 $98 €78

The late Ming Dynasty (1572-1644) and the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1722) saw the true splendour of short essays in China. No other period in the history of short essays in ancient China can match them in the quality and number of works, literary schools, or the vari-ety of styles. Compared with those written before or after, the short essays in these periods were richer in the choice of topics, and freer in form, focusing not only on real social life, but also on worldly experience and life’s little delights. They are a rich and vital part of China’s literary and cultural heritage.