The fourth installment of the acclaimed The Story of the Stone chronicles the rise and fall of the esteemed Jia family, which mirrors the experiences of the author’s own family. The central figures, Bao-yu and Dai-yu, are surrounded by a rich tapestry of humor, vivid descriptions, and graceful poetry, portraying the lively dynamics of Chinese family life. But over and above the novel hangs the constant reminder that there is another plane of existence, a theme that affirms the Buddhist belief in a supernatural scheme of things.
The Story of the Stone: The Debt of Tears (Volume IV)
This fourth volume of the magnificent The Story of the Stone charts the glory and decline of the illustrious Jia family. Interwoven with humor, poetry, and realistic detail, the novel persists in reminding us of a higher realm of existence, a theme that supports Buddhist beliefs in the supernatural.
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