Literature in Ming and Qing

     “Four Great Classical Novels” was the greatest literature written in China, and all 4 were written in around the time of Ming and Qing Dynasties. They were called “Water Margin”  written in the 14th century, “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” written in  the 14th century, “The Journey to the West” written in the 16th century and “Dream of the Red Chamber” written in the18th century. The fifth Greatest Classical Novel, “The Plum in the Golden Vase” was also written during the Ming-Qing period, in 16th century. It was banned until recently because of its inappropriate content. “Water Margin” and “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” were based on history but “Journey to the West”, “Dream of the Red Chamber” and “The Plum in the Golden Vase” were mostly or all fiction. These five novels revolutionized vernacular Chinese and brought literature into the Modern Age.

Romance of The Three Kingdoms (My Favorite)

Water Margin

Dream Of The Red Chamber

The Journey To The West

The Plum In The Golden Vase