Featuring the work of renowned scholars, this anthology provides an introduction to Chinese aesthetics and literature. This comprehensive introduction to Chinese aesthetics and literature includes the major modern genres of poetry, fiction, and drama. Featuring the work of renowned scholars in Chinese studies, the book provides an historical survey of Chinese literature and explains its philosophical and historical underpinnings in Daoist, Buddhist, and Confucian thought. The traditions of lyric poetry, fiction, and theater are presented as cultural practices. Modern responses to the political and social crises of twentieth-century China and on the avant-garde experimental literature of twenty-first century China are also examined. “For newcomers this book may act as a compass for a first journey into the intricate Chinese artistic landscape … This well-planned and novice-friendly collection of essays contains eleven insightful pieces by established Asian Studies scholars that cover a wide span of subjects, different eras within Chinese aesthetics, and diverse theoretical commitments.” — Chinese Studies “In their survey-like scope, readable language, and authority, these essays are very much welcome as background reading for any high school or college class on Chinese poetry, art or literature.” — The China Review “…we should be grateful to the editor for this handy compilation, which can be used either as a source book by itself or as a guide to further readings.” — China Review International “…the volume is an admirable one that pulls the reader toward further study of the Chinese literary tradition.” — Education about ASIA "Dale has put together an impressive collection of essays by both Western and Chinese scholars in the fields of aesthetics and literature, filling an important need for the many teachers and students who are coming to the study of China and its culture for the first time. Interesting, informative, and readable, this is an important work." — Nancy G. Hume, editor of Japanese Aesthetics and Culture: A Reader "The editor has done an excellent job of assembling readings that cover diverse topics, such as language, poetry, painting, cinema, drama, philosophy, nature, women, self, tradition, and change." — Julien Farland, Middlesex Community College Contributors include Roger T. Ames, Corinne H. Dale, Howard Goldblatt, Lloyd Haft, Yan Haiping, Theodore Huters, Wilt Idema, Wendy Larson, Leo Ou-Fan Lee, Stephen Owen, Paul S. Ropp, Tu Wei-ming, Elizabeth Wichmann-Walczak, Haiping Yan, and Pauline Yu.