Chinese epic tale hits Dutch bookstores

THE HAGUE－The first full Dutch version of A Dream of Red Mansions, a masterpiece in Chinese classical literature, has recently hit bookstore shelves in the Netherlands, following 13 years of hard work by three Dutch Sinologists and translators.

The 2,160-page, four-volume book, which consists of the 120 chapters of the original Chinese epic novel, is the result of a long-lasting partnership among Silvia Marijnissen, Mark Leenhouts and Anne Sytske Keijser.

A Dream of Red Mansions, one of Chinese literature's "four great classical novels", was written in the middle of the 18th century.

Initially, the three translators had planned to complete the translation of the Chinese classical novel in about eight years.

"But obviously, that wasn't enough. We really wanted to create a translation that would read well in Dutch," Keijser says.

The Dutch Sinologist says the translated version is intended for the readership of the public.

"The strength of this novel is that it can speak to its readers, even across a long distance in time and place. Even though Dutch readers will be unfamiliar with many aspects of life and society in the novel, we are able to identify with the main characters on an emotional level," she says.

Published by Athenaeum, the Dutch version of the masterpiece is available in bookshops across the Netherlands and online bookstores.

Xinhua