Take it as Chinese Philosophy, not as a How-to Guide
It gives deep insight into ancient Chinese culture. I don't think it's intended to be taken as a writer's guide for today. I thought the poems themselves were lovely, but this subject (ancient Chinese poetry) is definitely is an acquired taste. Aside from that, this little book is put together very well.
I'd use it as an example...
Would I use this book in a poetry workshop to guide people on how to learn to write a list poem, for instance? NO! I would use it as an example to show as to what the Chinese masters thought of writing and how they approached the writing process.
Was the first reviewer on crack when he wrote the review?
Great Book of Aphorisms about Writing!
I guess that other reviewer didn't bother to read the title of the book before he bought it. So you buy a book that says it's about what Chinese writers have to say about poetry and are disappointed that it's not a manual on how to write poetry in English? There are plenty of those out there. This book is unusual and fascinating, a luminous collection of Chinese wisdom about the art of the poem. In fact, I think it would be very helpfult to someone who writes poetry and wants to know what the great Chinese poets value in literature and esthetics. It's funny, witty, charming, and like nothing else out there. A fantastic book.
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