Liu Xinwu on Three Words/刘心武谈《三言》

An Accessible Alternative to Feng Menglong's Classical Literature Three Words冯梦龙文学经典三言原著的替代性通俗读本Compiled by Feng Menglong from Song and Yuan dynasty prompt-books Words to Admonish the World Words to Warn the World and Words to Awaken the World are monumental works in the history of Chinese literature. Like the Four Great Classical Novels they are indispensable works from the treasure trove of traditional Chinese literature.This book follows their original publication order providing a comprehensive introduction to all 40 volumes of the three collections. It offers story summaries and based on each tale's unique characteristics provides commentary on its themes historical value ideological depth and artistic achievements serving as a companion for general readers.Through 120 short essays that intertwine explanation with the original texts it guides readers through the twists and turns of the plots deciphers the street life gossip and legends desires of love and the interplay of truth and falsehood virtue and vice in the Song and Yuan periods. Readers will gain a sense of the spiritual outlook and living conditions of various social strata in ancient China especially the common people.Exhaustively depicting the divergences of human relationships and social mores fully writing the depths of joy and sorrow parting and reunion. Liu Xinwu joins you in exploring the literary charm of the pinnacle collection of prompt-book stories.冯梦龙根据宋元话本纂辑的《喻世明言》《警世通言》《醒世恒言》是中国文学史上里程碑式的著作，同四大名著一样，是中华传统文学宝库中不可不了解的作品。本书按照当年的出版顺序，对《喻世明言》《警世通言》《醒世恒言》从其第1至40卷进行全篇幅介绍，提供了故事梗概，并根据故事自身的特点，选择其主题、史料价值，思想内涵、艺术成就等进行评点，为一般读者起到陪读的作用。120篇小短文，讲解与原文穿插，带领读者感受跌宕起伏的故事走向，解读宋元时期的市井生活、八卦传奇、情爱欲望和虚实善恶，感受中国古代形形色色阶级、尤其是普罗大众的精神面貌与生存状态。极摹人情世态之歧，备写悲欢离合之致，刘心武与您一同探寻话本小说集大成者的文学魅力。