The Magpie at Night

In Wendy Chen''s splendid new translation, each poem is as sharp and fresh as the edge of a new spring leaf. These richly textured bolts of melody are masterpieces of verse, as resonant and bracing today as they were in the eleventh century; and they underscore Li Qingzhao status as a necessary and iconic literary figure.<>

About the author

Li Qingzhao (1084–1151), also known as Yi’an Jushi, is considered the greatest woman poet in Chinese history. During her lifetime, she defied cultural expectations for women by writing and persevering through war, exile, imprisonment, and the loss of her fortune.Wendy Chen is a translator, poet, editor and novelist. She is the author of the novel Their Divine Fires and the poetry collection Unearthings.

Product details

• Authors: Li Qingzhao
• Assisted by: Wendy Chen (Translation)
• Publisher: Penguin Books Uk
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 11.09.2025
• EAN: 9780241774076
• ISBN: 978-0-241-77407-6
• No. of pages: 160
• Dimensions: 135 mm x 216 mm x 20 mm
• Subjects: Fiction > Poetry, drama; Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative literary studies; China, POETRY / Ancient & Classical, POETRY / Women Authors, POETRY / Asian / Chinese, Classical texts, Poetry by individual poets, Classic and pre-20th century poetry, Ancient, classical and medieval texts, 12th century, c 1100 to c 1199