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The Story of the Stone: The Crab-Flower Club
The Story of the Stone: The Crab-Flower Club | Cao Xueqin
4 posts | 6 read | 1 reading | 2 to read
"The Story of the Stone" (c. 1760), also known as "The Dream of the Red Chamber", is one of the greatest novels of Chinese literature. The fifth part of Cao Xueqin's magnificent saga, "The Dreamer Awakes", was carefully edited and completed by Gao E some decades later. It continues the story of the changing fortunes of the Jia dynasty, focussing on Bao-yu, now married to Bao-chai, after the tragic death of his beloved Dai-yu. Against such worldly elements as death, financial ruin, marriage, decadence and corruption, his karmic journey unfolds. Like a sleepwalker through life, Bao-yu is finally awakened by a vision, which reveals to him that life itself is merely a dream, 'as moonlight mirrored in the water'.
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xicanti
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I drank my first rice lager tonight, and it was delicious! The rice came through good and strong, with the same character it gives to sake, while the elderflower added a subtle citrus note.

I also read another little chunk of THE STORY OF THE STONE, which I‘ve gotta finish tomorrow morning before I make a library run. I wanted to go the day after tomorrow so I‘d have more time with my loans, but I totally forgot about Good Friday closures. Sigh.

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Smarkies
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Pickpick

It has taken me a while to get to (and through) Volume 2 of this family saga. I do enjoy the goings on of this privileged Chinese family when I do get stuck in but sometimes other more fast paced books do take precedence.
Finally finished this for #setinchina for #booked2022
In this volume the unraveling of the family's finances are hinted of.
@Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft

Cinfhen Gorgeous cover art 2y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Well done! 2y
36 likes2 comments
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Pickpick

This and the preceding volume are among the best books I have ever read. Extremely, extremely good.

Chronicles the (foreshadowed) downfall of the wealthy Jia family.

Gave up due to confusion before, but made sure to memorize the family tree early and it's not bad now.

The subtlety and depth of the characters is astounding - definitely worth multiple reads to get more meaning. They seem like real people. Plot is entertaining and lots of humor.

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SaintUrsula
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A little pre-run time in the backyard with the dog and a book.

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