Willow, Wine, Mirror, Moon: Women's Poems from Tang China

by Jeanne Larsen (Translator)

This collection of 106 poems by 44 female Tang-era poets is the most comprehensive of its kind. Poets are organized based on their status in Tang dynasty women of the court, women of the household, courtesans and entertainers, and women of religion. While each poet’s concerns vary with their social status, common thematic threads include heartbreak and the mysteries of the natural world. Thumbnail biographies of each poet and notes regarding individual poems complete this important collection. Jeanne Larsen has published poetry, three novels set in China, and a book of poetry translation, Brocade River Selected Works of the Tang Dynasty Courtesan Xue Tao . She teaches in the creative writing program at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia.

Genres: Poetry, China

142 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2005

Reviews

[Rebekah Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tang women poets!

Wow - Larsen pulled out not only some rare poets, but gives a lovely description of the poets and explains their works. A slim, small read, but fair since you can't really get away with reading a poem once if you truly wish to appreciate it. The women she samples from come from all walks of Tang culture. From Empress to house wife, to courtesan to nun Larsen shows us a little bit of them all. Wonderful.

Read this if
* you like Chinese poetry
* you're interested in historical Chinese women
* you're interested in Tang history / poems
* you like poetry - even if you're used to western writings, give this a try!