The Life and Times of Po Chü-i

The Life and Times of Po Chü-i is Arthur Waley's biographical study of the renowned Chinese poet who lived from 772 to 846 CE. Waley presents a comprehensive account of Po Chü-i's life as a government official and writer during the Tang Dynasty. The book follows Po Chü-i's progression from his early years and examination success through his various postings across China, including his time as Governor of Hangzhou. Through translations of Po Chü-i's poems and letters, Waley reconstructs the social and political landscape of Tang Dynasty China. Drawing from historical records and Po Chü-i's own writings, Waley documents the poet's relationships with family members, fellow officials, and Buddhist monks. The narrative incorporates both major historical events and daily life details from this pivotal period in Chinese history. The biography illuminates recurring themes in Po Chü-i's work: the tension between public service and artistic pursuits, Buddhist philosophy's influence on Chinese intellectuals, and the role of poetry in political discourse. Through this single life, the book presents a window into the complexities of Tang Dynasty society and governance.

This book appears to have limited reader reviews available online, with only a few ratings on Goodreads and minimal discussion on academic forums. Readers appreciated: - Clear translations of Po Chü-i's poetry - Biographical details that provide context for the poems - The inclusion of both Chinese text and English translations - Waley's notes on translation choices Common criticisms: - Limited availability and high cost of used copies - Some readers found Waley's translations too literal - Academic tone may deter casual readers - Lack of historical/cultural background for modern readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (4 ratings) No ratings available on Amazon One reader on Chinese Poetry Forums noted: "Waley captures Po's straightforward style but sometimes misses the emotional undertones." Another commented that the book serves better as a reference text than a cover-to-cover read. Limited review data makes it difficult to draw broader conclusions about reader reception.

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The Poetry of Wang Wei by Pauline Yu This translation and analysis explores the works of Wang Wei, a Tang Dynasty poet-painter who shared Po Chü-i's Buddhist influences and official career.

🌟 Po Chü-i wrote over 3,000 poems during his lifetime, making him one of the most prolific poets of the Tang Dynasty 🌟 Arthur Waley never visited China or Japan, yet became one of the most influential translators of East Asian literature in the English-speaking world 🌟 The book reveals how Po Chü-i deliberately wrote in a simple style so common people could understand his poetry, breaking from the ornate tradition of his time 🌟 Po Chü-i served as governor of several Chinese provinces and used poetry to criticize social injustice and governmental corruption 🌟 The poet maintained a famous friendship with Yuan Zhen, and they exchanged over 100 poems with each other, creating a literary correspondence that lasted decades