A reading guide
Chinese classics
These Chinese classics introduce new readers to novels, philosophy, poetry and tales in English. Start with Journey to the West for a pilgrimage full of demons and danger, then explore teachings on conduct, poems of friendship and stories of everyday choices.
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Where to start
Start hereJourney to the WestWu Cheng'enBegin with a journey to India, where a monk and his unusual companions face demons and dangers along the road.
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Another way inThe Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its CharacteristicsLaoziChoose these short teachings for a reflective beginning, exploring nature, restraint and ways of acting without forcing events.
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Or tryThe Collected Works of Li BaiLi BaiStart with poems of mountain journeys, moonlit drinking and farewells for a mood that moves between pleasure and homesickness.
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The books
Free to start one of the free gifts when you start
Novels and tales
| # | First published | Book | Kind | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1592 | Journey to the WestWu Cheng'en A monk seeking Buddhist scriptures travels to India with companions who protect him from demons and dangers. | Novel | Free to startRead free |
| 2 | About 1390 | Romance of the Three KingdomsLuo Guanzhong Leaders and strategists plan campaigns and pursue their ambitions in China. | Novel | Free to startRead free |
| 3 | About 1350 | Water MarginShi Nai'an Outlaws driven together by injustice form a band at Liangshan Marsh, bound by loyalty and friendship. | Novel | Free to startRead free |
| 4 | 1803 | The ScholarsWu Jingzi Scholars, officials and frauds pursue examination success, exposing the gap between learned reputations and actual conduct. | Novel | Free to startRead free |
| 5 | · | Stories to Enlighten the WorldFeng Menglong Merchants, scholars, lovers and officials face choices that set desire against family obligations and questions of justice. | Stories | Free to startRead free |
| 6 | 1598 | The Peony PavilionTang Xianzu A sheltered young woman's dream of love challenges family expectations and carries her longing across life and death. | Play | Free to startRead free |
| 7 | 1628 | Slapping the Table in AmazementLing Mengchu Luck, cunning and changing fortunes shape Ming tales of merchants, scholars and others seeking fair judgment. | Stories | Free to startRead free |
| 8 | 1926 | WanderingLu Xun Teachers, wives and villagers pursue hopes for change while customs and social pressure shape their choices. | Stories | Free to startRead free |
Philosophy and wisdom
| # | First published | Book | Kind | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | · | The Analects of Confucius (from the Chinese Classics)Confucius Sayings and conversations explore how learning, family duties and honest conduct connect personal virtue with government. | Non-fiction | Free to startRead free |
| 2 | About 350 BC | The Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its CharacteristicsLaozi Short teachings consider nature and human conduct, exploring how restraint and softness can achieve what force cannot. | Non-fiction | Free to startRead free |
| 3 | About 300 BC | Chuang Tzu: Mystic, Moralist, and Social ReformerZhuangzi Stories, jokes and dialogues question how people judge the world and try to impose order upon it. | Non-fiction | Free to startRead free |
| 4 | · | The I ChingAnonymous Sixty-four symbols and accompanying short texts offer guidance on changing circumstances and possible ways to act. | Non-fiction | Free to startRead free |
Poetry and strategy
| # | First published | Book | Kind | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | · | The Collected Works of Li BaiLi Bai Poems of mountains, rivers, moonlit drinking and farewells bring pleasure into contact with loneliness and longing for home. | Poems | Free to startRead free |
| 2 | · | The Art of WarSun Tzu A military treatise examines preparation, judgment and deception as ways to secure victory while avoiding battle. | Non-fiction | Free to startRead free |
Questions
What are the most famous Chinese classics?
Journey to the West, Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Water Margin are among the famous classics of Chinese fiction. For other kinds of writing, try The Analects of Confucius (from the Chinese Classics) for sayings about conduct and government, or The Collected Works of Li Bai for poems of friendship, nature and longing.
What are the four great classical novels of Chinese literature?
The four great classical novels are Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margin, Journey to the West and Dream of the Red Chamber. The first follows rival leaders as the Han empire collapses; Water Margin brings outlaws together through injustice; Journey to the West follows a monk and his companions seeking Buddhist scriptures in India.
Where should I start with classic Chinese literature?
Start with Journey to the West for adventure, or The Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its Characteristics for short philosophical teachings. The former follows a monk and his companions through dangers on a pilgrimage to India. For poetry instead, The Collected Works of Li Bai offers mountains, rivers, friendship and longing for home.
Which Chinese classics are short?
Wandering, The Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its Characteristics and The Peony Pavilion are short choices here. Wandering offers stories about lives caught between customs and change. The philosophical teachings explore restraint and conduct, while the play follows a young woman's dream of love across life and death.
What kinds of writing are on this list?
This list covers novels, tales, philosophy, poetry, drama and military strategy. The fiction ranges from rival armies and outlaw fellowship to everyday moral choices. Philosophical works explore conduct, knowledge and government, while Li Bai's poems turn to friendship and nature, and The Art of War examines planning and victory.
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Read and hear all of them
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