{"product_id":"the-story-of-the-stone-or-the-dream-of-the-red-chamber-vol-4-the-debt-of-tears","title":"The Story of the Stone, or The Dream of the Red Chamber, Vol. 4: The Debt of Tears","description":"The Story of the Stone (c. 1760), also known by the title of The Dream of the Red Chamber, is the great novel of manners in Chinese literature.\n\nDivided into five volumes, of which The Debt of Tears is the fourth, The Story of the Stone charts the glory and decline of the illustrious Jia family (a story which closely accords with the fortunes of the author's own family). The 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 ritualized hurly-burly of Chinese family life. But 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.\n\nFor more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.\u003cbr\u003eASIN: 0140443711\u003cbr\u003eVSKU: DBV.0140443711.G\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Good\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\/Artist:Cao Xuequin|Gao E\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/b\u003e: Gently used with minimal wear on the corners and cover. A few pages may contain light highlighting or writing, but the text remains fully legible. Dust jacket may be missing, and supplemental materials like CDs or codes may not be included. May be ex-library with library markings. Ships promptly!  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Dream Books Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41500119662650,"sku":"DBV.0140443711.G","price":7.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/6011\/0138\/files\/0140443711-0.jpg?v=1783056302","url":"https:\/\/shop.dreambooksco.com\/products\/the-story-of-the-stone-or-the-dream-of-the-red-chamber-vol-4-the-debt-of-tears","provider":"Dream Books Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}