Columbia University Press A Topsy-Turvy World: Ming and Qing Dynasty Plays - Columbia

Explore a hidden side of Chinese theatrical history with A Topsy-Turvy World. While the lengthy masterpieces of the southern drama tradition often dominate academic study, this collection brings attention to the shorter, experimental genres that flourished during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. These works allowed playwrights to test new dramatic forms and offer social critique through wit and originality. This volume provides English translations of sixteenth-to-eighteenth-century plays that have long been overshadowed. The collection features mostly one-act plays that are satirical and earthy in tone. Readers will encounter stories depicting deceit, dissembling, and reversal, providing a unique look at the diverse landscape of historical Chinese drama. This book is an essential resource for anyone interested in the evolution of playwriting and the social commentary embedded in classical Asian literature.