Cai (Chinese and comparative literature, U. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) presents the first book-length study in English of Liu Xie’s classic work of literary criticism from early-sixth
century China. The text consists of ten essays derived from presentations at an April 1997 international conference on Wenxin diaolong , at the U. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. These essays
explore the literary and cultural traditions and intellectual currents of Liu’s time, Liu’s concept of imagination, and Liu’s views on rhetoric. The contributors are specialists in Asian
studies, and Chinese language and literature, mostly from the U.S., plus one from the U. of Toronto and one from Beijing. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
