西湖夢尋 By: Dai Zhang (1597-1679)
西湖夢尋 by Dai Zhang is a beautifully written novel that captures the essence of Chinese culture and tradition. The story follows the protagonist as he embarks on a journey to uncover the hidden secrets of West Lake in Hangzhou. The author's descriptive writing style paints a vivid picture of the surroundings, allowing readers to visualize the serene beauty of the lake and its surrounding landscapes. The characters in the novel are well-developed and complex, each with their own motivations and struggles. The protagonist's quest for understanding and self-discovery is engaging and thought-provoking, leading to unexpected twists and turns throughout the plot. The author skillfully weaves together elements of mystery, history, and romance, creating a rich and immersive reading experience. Overall, 西湖夢尋 is a captivating novel that transports readers to another time and place, while also exploring universal themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Dai Zhang's lyrical prose and heartfelt storytelling make this novel a must-read for anyone interested in Chinese literature and culture. First Page: 自　序　　余生不辰，闊別西湖二十八載，然西湖無日不入吾夢中，而夢中之西湖，未嘗一日別余也。前甲午、丁酉，兩至西湖，如湧金門商氏之樓外樓，祁氏之偶居，錢氏、余氏之別墅，及余家之寄園，一帶湖莊，僅存瓦礫。則是余夢中所有者，反為西湖所無。及至斷橋一望，凡昔日之弱柳夭桃、歌樓舞榭，如洪水淹沒，百不存一矣。余乃急急走避，謂余為西湖而來，今所見若此，反不若保我夢中之西湖，尚得完全無恙也。因想余夢與李供奉異。供奉之夢天姥也，如神女名姝，夢所未見，其夢也幻。余之夢西湖也，如家園眷屬，夢所故有，其夢也真。今余僦居他氏已二十三載，夢中猶在故居。舊役小傒，今已白頭，夢中仍是總角。夙習未除，故態難脫。而今而後，余但向蝶庵岑寂，蘧榻於徐，惟吾舊夢是保，一派西湖景色，猶端然未動也。兒曹詰問，偶為言之，總是夢中說夢，非魘即囈也。因作《夢尋》七十二則，留之後世，以作西湖之影。余猶山中人，歸自海上，盛稱海錯之美，鄉人競來共舐其眼。嗟嗟！金齏瑤柱，過舌即空，則舐眼亦何救其饞哉！　　　　　　　　歲辛亥七月既望，古劍蝶庵老人張岱題。 ... Continue reading book >>

西湖夢尋 By: Dai Zhang (1597-1679)

西湖夢尋 by Dai Zhang is a beautifully written novel that captures the essence of Chinese culture and tradition. The story follows the protagonist as he embarks on a journey to uncover the hidden secrets of West Lake in Hangzhou. The author's descriptive writing style paints a vivid picture of the surroundings, allowing readers to visualize the serene beauty of the lake and its surrounding landscapes.

The characters in the novel are well-developed and complex, each with their own motivations and struggles. The protagonist's quest for understanding and self-discovery is engaging and thought-provoking, leading to unexpected twists and turns throughout the plot. The author skillfully weaves together elements of mystery, history, and romance, creating a rich and immersive reading experience.

Overall, 西湖夢尋 is a captivating novel that transports readers to another time and place, while also exploring universal themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Dai Zhang's lyrical prose and heartfelt storytelling make this novel a must-read for anyone interested in Chinese literature and culture.

First Page:

自　序

　　余生不辰，闊別西湖二十八載，然西湖無日不入吾夢中，而夢中之西湖，未嘗一日別余也。前甲午、丁酉，兩至西湖，如湧金門商氏之樓外樓，祁氏之偶居，錢氏、余氏之別墅，及余家之寄園，一帶湖莊，僅存瓦礫。則是余夢中所有者，反為西湖所無。及至斷橋一望，凡昔日之弱柳夭桃、歌樓舞榭，如洪水淹沒，百不存一矣。余乃急急走避，謂余為西湖而來，今所見若此，反不若保我夢中之西湖，尚得完全無恙也。因想余夢與李供奉異。供奉之夢天姥也，如神女名姝，夢所未見，其夢也幻。余之夢西湖也，如家園眷屬，夢所故有，其夢也真。今余僦居他氏已二十三載，夢中猶在故居。舊役小傒，今已白頭，夢中仍是總角。夙習未除，故態難脫。而今而後，余但向蝶庵岑寂，蘧榻於徐，惟吾舊夢是保，一派西湖景色，猶端然未動也。兒曹詰問，偶為言之，總是夢中說夢，非魘即囈也。因作《夢尋》七十二則，留之後世，以作西湖之影。余猶山中人，歸自海上，盛稱海錯之美，鄉人競來共舐其眼。嗟嗟！金齏瑤柱，過舌即空，則舐眼亦何救其饞哉！　　　　　　　　歲辛亥七月既望，古劍蝶庵老人張岱題。

... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
History
Travel

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Wikipedia – 西湖夢尋

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