Selected Works of Guo Moruo: Five Historical Plays

Foreign Languages Press, Published 1984. Hardcover, ix, 526 pp., 21 unnumbered pages of plates; 22 cm; First Edition; illustrated with black-and-white photographic plates.In Good condition with a Good dust jacket. Maroon cloth-covered boards with a blind-stamped pattern along the bottom edge and gilt lettering on front board and spine; light edgewear to covers. Binding firm. Interior pages mildly toned, with heavier toning and rust-colored staining to front and rear paste-downs and end papers; small red chop stamp to rear paste-down. Cream dust jacket with lettering in red and teal; jacket has a few small nicks and tears and light creasing along edges; light to moderate overall toning and discoloration to jacket with moderate to heavy dampstaining on reverse side of jacket. Now in an archival quality (removable) Brodart cover.[From back cover] This collection comprises five well-known historical plays by Guo Moruo (1892-1978), the outstanding contemporary Chinese writer and historian. Twin Flowers is the story of Nie Zheng and his twin sister, Nie Ying, whose selfless devotion to the cause of justice and to each other is set against a background of moral depravity, political corruption and the threat of invasion from an outside kingdom. Qu Yuan is about the first great romantic poet of China, Qu Yuan, who ended his life in despair when his ruler failed to heed his advice to beware of internal traitors and external aggression. The Tiger Tally is an inspiring description of how a brave prince defied his ruler to go to the rescue of a neighbouring state and thus defeat their common enemy. Cai Wenji, written in 1959, relates the extraordinary true-life story of Cai Wenji, a poet and scholar who became the wife of a Xiongnu (Hun) chief and lived with him for twelve years before returning to China. Wu Zetian, written in 1960 and set in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), is about the only woman in Chinese history to reign as Empress in her own right. With his immense knowledge of history and his great artistic skill, the author recreates a host of living characters: emperors, princes, generals, ministers, scholars, poets, heroes and ordinary people in Chinese history. All five plays have been performed many times. Illustrated with stage photos.Contents: Introduction; Twin Flowers; Qu Yuan; The Tiger Tally; Cai Wenji; Wu Zetian; About the Author. …