Scan barcode
spacestationtrustfund's review
2.0
Some very poetic interpretations, but I would recommend The Works of Li Qingzhao translated by Ronald Egan and edited by Anna Shields.
partypete's review
5.0
I’ve been doing a little tour of ancient Chinese poetry recently, and have been particularly enjoying some of the Kenneth Rexroth/Ling Chung translations (Women Poets of China was good overall, but a bit limited in subject matter and consistency). From what I’ve been able to gather, Li Ching-chao was considered one of the greatest poets in Chinese literature. She does not disappoint.
What makes this collection great is how it surveys her work by more diverse categories, and she has the range. She was one of the only woman poets who was able to write political poems, and are very impressive, particularly in contrast to her poems on loneliness, exile, and the death of her husband. From my wildly limited knowledge of the subject, her reputation seems deserved.
If you have any interest in this kind of poetry, I would suggest her and Li Po. Read the biography at the end before diving in - like Women Poets of China, it could do with more and better context, but grouping through themes rather than time of publication works well here.
I love literature in translation, and I am obsessed with what Chinese poetry offers to the global canon. By my estimation, this is the cream of the crop, and a great introduction.
What makes this collection great is how it surveys her work by more diverse categories, and she has the range. She was one of the only woman poets who was able to write political poems, and are very impressive, particularly in contrast to her poems on loneliness, exile, and the death of her husband. From my wildly limited knowledge of the subject, her reputation seems deserved.
If you have any interest in this kind of poetry, I would suggest her and Li Po. Read the biography at the end before diving in - like Women Poets of China, it could do with more and better context, but grouping through themes rather than time of publication works well here.
I love literature in translation, and I am obsessed with what Chinese poetry offers to the global canon. By my estimation, this is the cream of the crop, and a great introduction.
i32505's review against another edition
4.0
This lady was depressed, heartbroken, homesick, and drunk.
More...