Abstract
Unlike previously known versions of The Water Margin, which consist exclusively of published volumes, three newly discovered commentary editions remain in their unpublished, manuscript form. These three editions reflect the diverse engagement of readers at distinct levels of proficiency. For novice readers who are new to the work, the practice of excerpting original text alongside existing critiques serves as a mnemonic and interpretive aid. Intermediate readers demonstrate greater familiarity with the text and its commentarial tradition, yet their annotations remain spontaneous and primarily serve as emotional outlets. In contrast, advanced readers—characterized by superior literary erudition—produce serious commentaries that exhibit unique personal styles and systematic rigor. An investigation into these unpublished materials reveals their profound scholarly significance. These editions not only offer vital clues to previously obscured literary questions but also broaden the scope of research regarding traditional novel commentary and the broader history of reading practices.
Keywords
The Water Margin, commentary editions, traditional Chinese novels, unpublished editions, value
First Page
194
Last Page
203
Recommended Citation
Deng, Lei. 2026. "A Brief Discussion on Three Newly Discovered Commentary Editions of The Water Margin: On the Value of Unpublished Commentary Edition of Novels." Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art 46, (1): pp.194-203. https://tsla.researchcommons.org/journal/vol46/iss1/19
