The Poetic Garden of Liu Zongyuan

Liu Zongyuan's poetry reflects his experience of political exile and the natural world of his new home in South China. The Poetic Garden of Liu Zongyuan presents his poems written on the Chinese empires southern margins, intertwining South China's landscapes and plants with reflections on honor, duty, banishment, and belonging. The two translators, Nathaniel Dolton-Thornton and Yu Yuanyuan, preserve and showcase the beauty of Liu's poetic garden for the English-speaking world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2023
Publisher: Deep Vellum Publishing

Liu Zongyuan's remarkable poetry captures the profound essence of political exile, while also showcasing his keen observation of the natural world in his new home in South China. Through his poetic lens, he intricately weaves together the landscapes and flora of this region, including iconic species like scarlet canna, banyan, and white myoga ginger, with profound reflections on honor, duty, banishment, and belonging. What sets Liu's poetry apart in the rich tapestry of Chinese literature is his unique ability to intertwine these themes in a manner that resonates deeply with the reader.

The Poetic Garden of Liu Zongyuan is a collection of poems penned by the Tang Dynasty co-founder of the Classical Prose Movement, who wrote them on the southern borders of the Chinese empire. Within these remarkable verses, Liu skillfully intertwines the landscapes and flora of South China, such as the scarlet canna, banyan, and white myoga ginger, with profound contemplations on honor, duty, banishment, and belonging. The translators, Nathaniel Dolton-Thornton, an American, and Yu Yuanyuan, a Chinese, have done an exceptional job in preserving and presenting the singular beauty of Liu's poetic garden to the English-speaking world.

Liu Zongyuan's poetry offers a profound exploration of the human condition, particularly the experiences of political exile and the search for identity in a new environment. His ability to blend the natural world with deep emotional and philosophical themes sets him apart as a master of Chinese poetry. The Poetic Garden of Liu Zongyuan is a testament to his talent and the enduring power of his words. Through his poetry, Liu invites us to reflect on the complexities of life, the beauty of nature, and the search for meaning and belonging in a world that is constantly changing.

Weight: 192g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781646052172