红楼读书会
Honglou Club

Where the dream of the red chamber lives on.
Read the classic, explore its mysteries, find your literary kindred spirits.

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Three Pillars

三事为期

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Read the Novel

Immerse yourself in Cao Xueqin's masterpiece — chapter by chapter, savoring the pinnacle of Chinese classical literature.

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Study Redology

Delve into textual criticism, commentary traditions, and the scholarly universe surrounding this encyclopedic novel.

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Connect with Readers

Join fellow enthusiasts in elegant gatherings — sharing insights, exchanging ideas, and forging friendships through literature.

Sun Wen · Dream of the Red Chamber

A Monumental Work

一部奇书

Dream of the Red Chamber (Honglou Meng), written by Cao Xueqin in the mid-18th century, stands as the supreme achievement of Chinese fiction. Its 120 chapters weave together love, tragedy, and the rise and fall of an aristocratic family.

With over 400 characters and an intricate narrative structure, it has been called "the encyclopedia of traditional Chinese culture" — a work of unparalleled psychological depth and philosophical richness.

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"Pages full of fantastic talk,
Penned with bitter tears;
All men call the author mad,
None his message hears."

— Cao Xueqin, Chapter 1 (trans. David Hawkes)

Upcoming Events

近期活动

18 May

Close Reading: Chapters 1–5

From Zhen Shiyin's dream to Baoyu's visit to the Land of Illusion — exploring the structural brilliance of the opening chapters.

📍 Online · 🕒 14:00–16:00 CST
25 May

Zhiyanzhai Commentary Workshop

Exploring the enigmatic marginal notes that hold vital clues to the novel's hidden meanings and intended ending.

📍 Beijing + Online · 🕒 15:00–17:00 CST
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