Best Chinese Literary Criticism Books of 2025

Meet Doctor Hall is a captivating historical biography about a young woman who discovers her truth by reading the journals of Dr. William L. Hall, a medical missionary who traveled to China in the 19th century. The real journals of Dr. Hall, which have been in the possession of the author for decades, chronicle his experiences as a man of medicine in China from 1896 through 1922. Through his journals, Grace Bennett, a modern young Asian woman, finds a new appreciation for her culture. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in historical China biographies.

The Chinese Character Practice Book for Kids is an excellent resource for children and adults who are learning Chinese. The book includes 100 sight words with cute characters, pinyin spelling, English translation, and a picture for each character. It also provides stroke by stroke examples for each character and five traceable characters for practice. The book's full-color interiors with big fonts make it ideal for children and adults. The six word families, carefully selected for daily use, include animals, family members, foods, vehicles, body parts, and fruits. Overall, this is an outstanding book for anyone who wants to learn Chinese in a fun and engaging way.

The "Mandarin Chinese Characters Made Easy" workbook offers an easy step-by-step approach to learn Chinese characters, stroke by stroke. It covers all characters and vocabulary needed to pass the newest version of the HSK level 1 exam, including pinyin, radical, English definition, stroke counts, and common words for each character. The book also provides designated writing practice boxes and multiple types of practical exercises to check progress. With high-quality images and challenging audio exercises read out by a native speaker, learners can fully immerse themselves in the sound of the language. This book is a great resource for beginners looking to master Chinese characters.

Written on Water is a collection of essays by Eileen Chang, one of the most iconic Chinese novelists and essayists of the 20th century. The book covers a range of topics, including art, literature, war, urban culture, and Chang's personal life during wartime in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Chang's writing style is both vibrant and meditative, with a sly and sophisticated sense of humor. The book includes illustrations by the author and offers a unique glimpse into modern Chinese life during a time of upheaval. Overall, Written on Water is a must-read for anyone interested in Chinese literature and culture.

The Monkey and the Monk is an abridgment of the Chinese classic, The Journey to the West, translated by Anthony C. Yu. The book narrates the journey of Xuanzang, a seventh-century Chinese monk, who travels to India in search of Buddhist scriptures. The story combines religious allegory with humor, satire, and fantasy, making it a seminal work of world literature. Yu’s abridgment distills the most exciting and meaningful episodes of the epic novel without compromising its true spirit. This new version is sure to attract a new following of students and fans. In summary, The Monkey and the Monk is a must-read classic that beautifully combines humor, fantasy, and religious allegory.

The Zhuangzi is a foundational text of the Chinese philosophical tradition and the cornerstone of Daoist thought. Richard John Lynn's new translation of the text follows the earliest and most influential commentary by Guo Xiang. The book is presented with a critical introduction, a detailed account of Guo's life and times, and analysis of his essential contributions to the development of Chinese philosophy. The book is a monumental achievement of exceptional scope and depth, and will be indispensable for the study of Chinese literature, intellectual history, and philosophy.

The Zuo Tradition (Zuozhuan) is a monumental work of history consisting of two interwoven texts: the Spring and Autumn Annals and a vast web of narratives and speeches that add context and interpretation to the Annals. Completed by about 300 BCE, it is the longest and one of the most difficult texts surviving from pre-imperial times. This translation, accompanied by the original text, an introduction, and annotations, is eminently readable, with bilingual text, helpfully divided into coherent sections, and annotation that provides necessary explanations without overwhelming the reader with minutiae. The Zuo Tradition has shaped notions of history, justice, and the significance of human action in the Chinese tradition and is a must-read for anyone interested in Chinese literary criticism books.

This book, titled "Cross-Cultural Encounters in Modern and Premodern China: Global Networks, Mediation, and Intertextuality", is a valuable resource for scholars and students interested in the adaptation and transformation of different genres within the Chinese cultural tradition. The authors examine the East-West cultural exchange and provide an intertextual dialogue, evaluating the linkage among literature, film, music, art, and performance. This book is a must-have for Sinophiles, world historians, China specialists, and scholars researching cultural life in East Asia. Overall, this book offers a unique perspective on the assessment of cultural exchange in the East-West context, making it an enriching intellectual resource.

An Anthology of Chinese Literature: Beginnings to 1911 is an exceptional text in Chinese Studies that brings together over 600 works from the first millennium B.C. to the end of the imperial system in 1911. The texts are presented historically and aesthetically to highlight the interplay among Chinese literature, culture, and history. The book is structured innovatively to show how the essential texts build on and echo each other. The commentary is highly readable, making this collection accessible to anyone interested in Chinese literature. This anthology is a must-have for scholars, students, and anyone interested in Chinese literature and culture.

The Chinese Character Writing Workbook for Kids is an excellent educational material for bilingual children who are beginners in learning traditional Chinese characters. The book provides step-by-step instructions, colorful graphics, and fun activities to keep children engaged. It also includes Cantonese Jyutping and Mandarin Pinyin of each character, extra grids for more practice, and mini-games after each section. This book is a great tool for parents and teachers who want to make learning Chinese characters fun and enjoyable for kids.