The fifth part of Cao Xueqin’s epic tale, The Dreamer Awakes, continues the story of the shifting fortunes of the Jia dynasty, focussing on Bao-yu, now married to Bao-chai, after the tragic death of his beloved Dai-yu. Against such worldly elements as death, financial ruin, marriage, decadence, and corruption, his karmic journey unfolds. Like a sleepwalker through life, Bao-yu is finally awakened to the realization that life is just a dream, like the moonlight reflected in the water.
The Story of the Stone: The Dreamer Wakes (Volume V)
In this fifth installment of Cao Xueqin's epic tale, the narrative shifts to the fate of the Jia dynasty and centers on Bao-yu who like a sleepwalker stumbling through life eventually awakens to the realization that life is just a dream, like the moonlight reflected in the water.
Read deeper
Get a curated selection of best book news and recommendations in your inbox.
More from OVID
Have some more of OVID’s takes.
A few more books OVID says you should read
Affiliate Disclosure
When you buy something through one of the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Latest from OVID .
Jon Fosse wins the 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable
The Norwegian writer and a favorite of OVID Jon Fosse has won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature “for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable.”
Among many of Fosse’s works, we at OVIDBLOGS love his A New Name: Septology VI-VII and recommed this hypnotic prose to readers over the world.
