Dream of the Red Chamber : An Epic Story of Women's Lives in Imperial China (Abridged)

"One of the great novels of world literature…to the Chinese as Proust is to the French or Karamazov to the Russians." -Anthony West, literary criticDream of the Red Chamber (also known as The Story of the Stone) is renowned for its epic scope, rich psychological characterizations and telling observations on family life and the role of women in Chinese society.One of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature, along with Journey to the West, The Water Margin, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms; Dream of the Red Chamber is widely regarded as the greatest Chinese classical novel, and one of the greatest works of world literature ever written.The "red chamber" refers to a sheltered area in wealthy households where daughters were confined until married-a veritable prison where dreams of true love wither.This sweeping tale tells of the rise and fall of rival branches of the wealthy Jia family, who live in lavish adjacent compounds surrounded by a lush, private garden. The story ope