{"title":"Series: The Story of the Stone","description":"\u003cp\u003eStep into the enchanting world of \u003cem\u003eThe Story of the Stone\u003c\/em\u003e, a classic Chinese literary masterpiece also known as \u003cem\u003eDream of the Red Chamber\u003c\/em\u003e. Widely regarded as one of China's Four Great Classical Novels, this captivating series offers readers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle and intricate social dynamics of an aristocratic family in 18th-century China.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally written by Cao Xueqin, and enriched by its literary depth and profound character development, the series is a treasure trove of cultural, historical, and philosophical insights. Each book in the series vividly depicts the joys and sorrows of the Jia family, their complex relationships, and the societal norms of the time. As you journey through the unfolding dramas and poignant emotional landscapes, you'll encounter unforgettable characters whose lives resonate with timeless themes of love, loss, and the passage of time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're a fan of \u003cem\u003eGeneral Fiction\u003c\/em\u003e and are eager to explore narratives that blend rich tradition with universal human experiences, then \u003cem\u003eThe Story of the Stone\u003c\/em\u003e is a must-add to your reading list. Dive into this richly woven tapestry and discover why it remains a celebrated cornerstone of classic literature.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-story-of-the-stone-by-cao-xueqin-9780140442939","title":"The Story of the Stone","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Story of the Stone\u003c\/em\u003e (c.1760) is one of the greatest novels of Chinese literature. The first part of the story, \u003cem\u003eThe Golden Days\u003c\/em\u003e, begins the tale of Bao-yu, a gentle young boy who prefers girls to Confucian studies, and his two cousins: Bao-chai, his parents' choice of a wife for him, and the ethereal beauty Dai-yu.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the changing fortunes of the Jia family, this rich, magical work sets worldly events—love affairs, sibling rivalries, political intrigues, even murder—within the context of the Buddhist understanding that earthly existence is an illusion and karma determines the shape of our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46511456944364,"sku":"9780140442939","price":35.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/27317163482237.jpg?v=1748823289"},{"product_id":"the-story-of-the-stone-by-cao-xueqin-9780140443264","title":"The Story of the Stone","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Story of the Stone\u003c\/em\u003e (c. 1760), also known as \u003cem\u003eThe Dream of the Red Chamber\u003c\/em\u003e, is one of the greatest novels of Chinese literature. The fifth part of Cao Xueqin's magnificent saga, \"The Dreamer Awakes\", was carefully edited and completed by Gao E some decades later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt continues the story of the changing fortunes of the Jia dynasty, focusing on Bao-yu, now married to Bao-chai, after the tragic death of his beloved Dai-yu. Against such worldly elements as death, financial ruin, marriage, decadence, and corruption, his karmic journey unfolds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLike a sleepwalker through life, Bao-yu is finally awakened by a vision, which reveals to him that life itself is merely a dream, 'as moonlight mirrored in the water'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46517672411372,"sku":"9780140443264","price":36.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/27320413482237.jpg?v=1748944428"},{"product_id":"the-story-of-the-stone-by-cao-xueqin-9780140443707","title":"The Story of the Stone","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Story of the Stone\u003c\/em\u003e (c. 1760), also known by the title of \u003cem\u003eThe Dream of the Red Chamber\u003c\/em\u003e, is the great novel of manners in Chinese literature. Divided into five volumes, of which \u003cem\u003eThe Warning Voice\u003c\/em\u003e is the third, it charts the glory and decline of the illustrious Jia family—a story which closely accords with the fortunes of the author's own family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe two main characters, Bao-yu and Dai-yu, are set against a rich tapestry of humour, realistic detail, and delicate poetry, which accurately reflects the ritualised hurly-burly of Chinese family life. However, over and above the novel hangs the constant reminder that there is another plane of existence—a theme which affirms the Buddhist belief in a supernatural scheme of things.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46555980136684,"sku":"9780140443707","price":34.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780140443707.jpg?v=1750128606"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/series-the-story-of-the-stone.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}