Books Quote by Barry Hughart
![“The problem with 'the crown jewel of Chinese literature' [Dream of the Red Chamber] is that it has two thousand pages and an equal number of characters, and the hero is an effeminate ass who should have either been spanked or decapitated, both ends being equally objectionable.” quote by Barry Hughart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9f5/barry-hughart-19013_books_the-problem-with-the-crown-jewel-of-chin_1270548.jpg)
““The problem with 'the crown jewel of Chinese literature' [Dream of the Red Chamber] is that it has two thousand pages and an equal number of characters, and the hero is an effeminate ass who should have either been spanked or decapitated, both ends being equally objectionable.””
About This Quote
Source Quote: Review of Dream of the Red Chamber, 1995
The novel’s length and characters overwhelm, and its protagonist’s ambiguous masculinity challenges readers.
In simple terms: The book is huge, with a confusing main character.
Key Takeaway
Seek narratives that resonate personally.
Themes
literature
culture
characterization
Mood
critical
curious
Type
analytical
literary
When to use this quote
- reading classic literature
- academic study
Key Concepts
critical analysis
gender studies
Questions to Reflect On
- Does the protagonist’s gender affect your interest?
- How do you handle dense texts?
A Different Perspective
Length can deter engagement, and stereotypes may alienate.
![“The resurrection of this once popular work [Ping Jinya's forgotten bestseller of the 1930s, Tides in the Human Sea ] is a reminder that the histories of 'Chinese literature' currently in circulation are far from being histories of what most people actually read.” quote by Mark Elvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fb5/mark-elvin-51757_books_the-resurrection-of-this-once-popular-wo_2339656.jpg)
