The Late Poems of Meng Chiao

by Meng Chiao, David Hinton (Translator)

Late in life, Meng Chiao (A.D. 751--814) developed an experimental poetry of virtuosic beauty, a poetry that anticipated landmark developments in the modern Western tradition by a millennium. With the T'ang Dynasty crumbling, Meng's later work employed surrealist and symbolist techniques as it turned to a deep introspection. This is truly major work-- work that may be the most radical in the Chinese tradition. And though written more than a thousand years ago, it is remarkably fresh and contemporary. But, in spite of Meng's significance, this is the first volume of his poetry to appear in English.


Until the age of forty, Meng Chiao lived as a poet-recluse associated with Ch'an (Zen) poet-monks in south China. He then embarked on a rather unsuccessful career as a government official. Throughout this time, his poetry was decidedly mediocre, conventional verse inevitably undone by his penchant for the strange and surprising. After his retirement, Meng developed the innovative poetry translated in this book. His late work is singular not only for its bleak introspection and "avant-garde" methods, but also for its in a tradition typified by the short lyric poem, this work is made up entirely of large poetic sequences.

Genres: Poetry, China, Chinese Literature

104 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Meng Jiao was a Tang Dynasty poet noted for the unusual forcefulness and harshness of his poems. Around 500 of his poems survive, many upon the themes of poverty and cold, and typified by the strong—and sometimes shocking—imagery advocated by Han Yu. Two of his poems are included in the Three Hundred Tang Poems.

Reviews

[Paul H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superlatively good, and sui generis in terms of classical Chinese poetry -- as if Mallarmé or Rimbaud had published their work in the same century as Marie de France and Chrétien de Troyes.

[univocity · Rating 3 out of 5]

A revelatory translation- bleak, contorted, twisting poem sequences which worm their way through your sense organs into your bones. Hinton must do the Han Yu works of this period.

[Liam Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously, props to Hinton for making this guy available to English speakers. This should amaze modern readers

It's time we get some more translations of Meng Chiao from different translators, until then this more than suffices. Fans of this should check out the Li Shangyin, selected and translated by Chloe Garcia Roberts. Very similar content and vibe, as Li Shangyin lived close in time & was influenced by Chiao/jiao, but hers is by far one of the greatest translations of chinese poetry into english this century so far. I'd love to see her tackle Jiao

[Don Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poems, especially those toward the end of the collection, are very powerful. Meng Chiao had obviously tapped into something as he neared death. Some might think they are bleak, but there's a beauty in the bleakness that can't be denied.

[Ommiolgi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable book by one of the best Chinese poets I’ve ever read. Steeped in ‘the way’ but certainly aware of the shadow side, which he steeps many of his poems in.
Would certainly recommend this book to any, who i think would understand it.

[Mikael · Rating 4 out of 5]

gorges gorges gorgeous

[Athena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, ravishing poetry!

[Squib · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not as enjoyable as Po Chu-i or Du Fu. Also, a little too moany. But fabulous nonetheless and unusual