title: The Plum in the Golden Vase, or, Chin P'ing Mei, Vol. 1: The Gathering
author: David Tod Roy
description: This first masterful volume of a projected five-volume translation of one of China's most important classical novels will be its most complete rendition in English. Alternately vulgarly colloquial and comprehensively erudite, the translation surpasses earlier efforts by Clement Egerton et al. in that it translates all the verse and prose as well. Originally published around 1618, this 100-chapter novel unravels the greed and political and sexual exploits of a Sung dynasty merchant. Infused with eroticism and high irony, the story is often seen to be a microcosm of 17th-century Chinese society. With its 40 period woodblock illustrations, this book is essential in any collection of world literature. The copious notes, scholarly and philosophical introduction, 60-page cast of characters, and commentary render it indispensable for the scholar of Chinese literature as well.<BR><I>- D.E. Perushek, Univ. of Tennessee Libs., Knoxville</I><BR>Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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  Jennifer Ashley
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Chapter One
  
  London, 1881
  
  “I find that a Ming bowl is like a woman’s breast,” Sir Lyndon Mather said to
  Ian Mackenzie, who held the bowl in question between his fingertips. “The
  swelling curve, the creamy pallor. Don’t you agree?”
  
  Ian couldn’t think of a woman who would be flattered to have her breast
  compared to a bowl, so he didn’t bother to nod.
  
  The delicate vessel was from the early Ming period, the porcelain barely
  flushed with green, the sides so thin Ian could see light through them. Three
  gray-green dragons chased one another across the outside, and four
  chrysanthemums seemed to float across the bottom.
  
  The little vessel might just cup a small rounded breast, but that was as far
  as Ian was willing to go. “One thousand guineas,” he said.
  
  Mather’s smile turned sickly. “Now, my lord, I thought we were friends.”
  
  Ian wondered where Mather had got that idea. “The bowl is worth one thousand
  guineas.”
  
  He fingered the slightly chipped rim