The Story of the Stone

Nov 30, 2025 6:42 AM

Author:Cao Xueqin

"The Story of the Stone" (c. 1760), also known as "The Dream of the Red Chamber", is one of the greatest novels of Chinese literature. The fifth part of Cao Xueqin's magnificent saga, "The Dreamer Awakes", was carefully edited and completed by Gao E some decades later. It continues the story of the changing 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 by a vision, which reveals to him that life itself is merely a dream, 'as moonlight mirrored in the water'.

Reviews

One of our foremost writers of naval fiction.

—— Sunday Times

As always with Eco, there is much to admire

—— Sunday Times

A beautiful evocation of a difficult period of Italian history, full of the flair and erudition for which we love Eco

—— Metro

Genuinely clever...the writing, the quotes and the pictures often tickle the brain

—— Irish Independent

Witty, playful, and incorrigibly erudite, Eco clearly had fun writing this book. There is much to enjoy

—— Daily Mail

Another great exhilaration from Eco. Eye-poppingly fascinating

—— Guardian

Perhaps the most intellectual novelist in Europe today. A highly idiosyncratic by engrossing novel

—— Herald

Profound and moving. A wonderful entertainer

—— Scotsman

Engaging

—— Sunday Times

The opening is delightful, the sort of stuff that has readers rubbing their hands in anticipation...it is good to see Eco recapture something of his former glories, bouncing ideas of his readers with characteristic zest

—— Sunday Telegraph

Stimulating

—— Big Issue

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