Chinese Classics & Poetry — Vivien's Recommendations
As I wrap up site development, I finally have time to dive into the deep lit world my friend Vivien introduced me to.
Below is a complete tabled overview of the Chinese classics and poetry she recommended, complete with her thoughts and why
they matter.
Poetry & Poets
Title / Poet
Pinyin
What it is
Vivien’s take / why start here
苏轼
Sū Shì
Song-dynasty master of cí lyric poetry
“My idol!!! His poems and essays are all gems; his upbeat view of life is worth learning.”
定风波
Dìng Fēng Bō
lyric written in exile
See how Su turns hardship into calm humour.
念奴娇·赤壁怀古
Niàn Nú Jiāo · Chì Bì Huái Gǔ
lyric on the Red Cliff
Grand historical sweep + personal feeling.
水调歌头
Shuǐ Diào Gē Tóu
Mid-Autumn lyric to his brother
The famous “May we share the moon” line.
辛弃疾
Xīn Qì Jí
Late-Song patriot-poet
His bold military imagery balances Su’s cosmopolitan ease.
李白
Lǐ Bái
Tang “Immortal of Wine”
For exuberant free-spirited verse; try 《将进酒》.
曹操
Cáo Cāo
Statesman-poet of the Three Kingdoms
Read 《短歌行》 for the heroic Jian’an style.
楚辞
Chǔ Cí
Warring–States anthology of lyrical verse
On Vivien’s shortlist; good gateway to earlier poetic diction.
人间词话
Rén Jiān Cí Huà
Wang Guowei’s notes on cí aesthetics
Dip in once you’ve sampled Song lyrics – sharp, elegant criticism.
Vivien’s note:
Classic Chinese can feel tough at first; don’t hesitate to read modern annotated editions or bilingual versions. Learning by doing beats endless theory, so write your own verses alongside the reading!
Thanks to Vivien for curating this treasure trove. I’m going to post reflections, translations, and analyses here as I go. If you’re reading any of these too, feel free to reach out or tag me in your own write-ups.
Chinese Classics & Poetry — Vivien's Recommendations
As I wrap up site development, I finally have time to dive into the deep lit world my friend Vivien introduced me to. Below is a complete tabled overview of the Chinese classics and poetry she recommended, complete with her thoughts and why they matter.
Poetry & Poets
Literature / Classics
Thanks to Vivien for curating this treasure trove. I’m going to post reflections, translations, and analyses here as I go. If you’re reading any of these too, feel free to reach out or tag me in your own write-ups.
Next up: writing my own ci after Su Shi