by Linda Ching

tory of the Stone defines the framework of what is known as China's greatest and most acclaimed novel, Dream of the Red Chamber, by Cao Xueqin. It has been exquisitely illustrated and reinterpreted by award winning author/ photographer Linda Ching. Shot on location in China, it recaptures a rich period of history that is all but a dream today. Says Ching, "They say that the best thoughts can never be spoken because they transcend words. I related to this as the essence of the story became clear to me. I also realized that nuances and meaning can be lost in the conveyance of ideas from one language to another. With that in mind, I hope these photographs will illuminate the Western mind to the magnificence of this 200 year old masterwork in a way that English translations have not."