The Four Classic Novels of Chinese literature, also known as The Four Great Classical Novels, are some of the most important literary works in the Chinese language. They are Journey to the West, Outlaws of the Marsh, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and Dream of the Red Chamber. These novels were written during the Ming and Qing dynasties and are considered to be some of the greatest works of fiction in all of Chinese history.
Journey to the West follows the journey of a monk and his disciples to India to obtain Buddhist scriptures. Along the way, they encounter many challenges and adventures. Outlaws of the Marsh tells the story of a group of bandits who fight against corruption and injustice. Romance of the Three Kingdoms details the events of the Three Kingdoms Period in Chinese history, while Dream of the Red Chamber is a tale of love and tragedy set in the wealthy and powerful Jia family.
Together, these four novels offer insight into Chinese culture, history, and philosophy. They have been translated into many languages and have had a significant impact on both Chinese and world literature.