In the Same Light: 200 Tang Poems for Our Century

Wong May's new book is a translation of Du Fu, Li Bai, and Wang Wei, and many others whose work is less well known in English. It is quirky, unaffectedly well-informed, capacious, and unpredictable in its concerns and procedures, and is accompanied and prompted by a further marginal voice, the rhino, who held a special place in Tang China. The book is a truly original book of encounters, whose every turn is illuminating and revelatory.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 27 January 2022
Publisher: Carcanet Press Ltd

Winner of the prestigious Lucien Stryk Asian Translation Prize 2023, shortlisted for the esteemed National Translation Award in Poetry 2023 by the American Literary Translators Association, and selected as the Translation Choice by the Poetry Book Society for Spring 2022. Chinese poetry stands out as a unique treasure in the world of literature, having been crafted for over three thousand years by exiles. The rich tapestry of Chinese history can be effortlessly unraveled through the profound words of poets. Within this collection from the Tang Dynasty, we encounter a harmonious blend of war and peace, flight and refuge, but above all, we encounter plain-spoken, everyday poems that resonate with timelessness. These classics transcend time, embodying the literacy of the heart in a barbarous world. C.D. Wright, in his insightful commentary on Wong May's work, praises her for her quirky, unaffectedly well-informed, capacious, and unpredictable approach. This quality is evident in every page of her latest translation, encompassing the works of Du Fu, Li Bai, Wang Wei, and many other lesser-known poets in English. In a captivating afterword, Wong May delves into the defining characteristics of these poets and their lives during dark times. Accompanied by a further marginal voice, portrayed as the rhino, this translator's journal offers a unique perspective on Tang China. Comparable to the mythical unicorn in medieval Europe, the rhino held a special place, symbolizing a magical being, an original spirit, and a fitting guide to China's enigmatic and turbulent Middle Ages, which were also its Golden Age of Poetry. This extraordinary book of encounters is a testament to the originality of Wong May's work, with each turn illuminating and revealing new depths.

Weight: 444g
Dimension: 135 x 215 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800172128