The Late Wanderings of Du Fu - Daniel Hsieh - 文宇宙｜Bookniverse

History remembers Du Fu (712–70) as the Confucian poet-sage, but why would he abandon his official post to wander the remote fringes of the Tang empire? This exploration of Du Fu’s late wanderings reveals the restless spiritual and intellectual journey that mirrored his seemingly directionless, perplexing physical travels. Moving beyond traditional portrayals, it uncovers a complex figure torn between north and south, service and retreat, and the truths of the Three Teachings.A close reading of the poems from his last, prolific decade follows Du Fu as he confronts the brilliance and collapse of his dynasty, transforming all he experienced into poetry that became both his autobiography and his apology. Through his verse, a man who refused to settle for a single answer emerges, one whose constant wavering was a part of his greatness and ultimately redefined the possibilities of Chinese poetry.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Focusing on Du Fu’s self-accounts, his religious interests, his understanding of history, and his thoughts about poetry, Hsieh outlines a profound meditation on the potentials of art and the intellectual resources of the Chinese tradition. A work to savor, to wander with, and to reread.——Lucas RamboBenderAssociate Professor on Term of East Asian Languages and Literatures,Yale UniversityThis book is very perceptive, with subtle insights gleaming forth again and again. Even readers who fancy themselves quite conversant with Du Fu frequently find themselves happily studying with Prof. Hsieh and taking copious notes.——David McCrawProfessor of Chinese, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa