Idle Talk

“The essays in this fine collection cover a fascinating range of topics under the general rubric of ‘idle talk,’ material generally considered historically unreliable, even though it appears in histories as well as in informal writings. By making anecdotes the topic of extended reflection and, more important, by examining their role in a variety of periods and contexts, the volume breaks ground in exploring the functions of gossip in the larger Chinese tradition. The authors are among the most highly respected scholars of Chinese literature in the US. Their topics are individually important; collectively they constitute a stimulating introduction to the informality—presumed and real—of literati jottings over nearly two millennia.” Robert E. Hegel, Washington University, St. Louis