The Story of the Stone, or The Dream of the Red Chamber, Vol. 2 by Cao Xueqin

In addition to getting the experts' opinions and feedback, we also invited a number of them to participate in our work. They offered invaluable assistance on selecting the book's editions as the base script, copy editing our translations, annotations, and illustrations and binding design. When we first started the translation work, we visited many experts and scholars in the field of Redology (academic study of the novel), including famous names like He Qifang, Wu Shichang, Zhou Ruchang, Yu Pingbo, Deng Shaoji, Li Xifan, A Ying, and Qi Gong. Most of our publications followed this rule, which turns out to be very effective. The senior editors at Foreign Languages Press had accumulated rich experiences, and one of the most important working methods was to get out of the office and invite experts and scholars to help with the editing. I had to study conscientiously with senior editors and learn from practice. As a young graduate, I felt a lot of pressure being the book's editor. The translation, editing, designing, and publishing of such a masterpiece is a complex and difficult project. However, this difficult period also taught me what I needed to learn about foreign publishing, and turned a young college graduate into a competent editor.

As the book's editor, I get emotional whenever I recall that journey. The translation and editing work began in the early 1960s and lasted for nearly 14 years until the first volume of its English version was published in 1978. The English version of 'A Dream of Red Mansions' is the first classical novel translated and published by Foreign Languages Press. The book's editor Ye Junjian recounted some of the lesser known stories behind its publication.Įnglish version of'A Dream of Red Mansions,' first edition (1978), translated by Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang. An English version of it, translated by famed translators Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang, was first published by Foreign Languages Press in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Editor's note: 'A Dream of Red Mansions' (Hongloumeng) is a classical Chinese novel written by Cao Xueqin in the 18th century.

The Story of the Stone, or The Dream of the Red Chamber, Vol. 2 by Cao Xueqin