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Weird Confucius - by  Zhao Lu (Paperback) - 1 of 1

Weird Confucius - by Zhao Lu (Paperback)

$39.99

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About this item

Highlights

  • Spanning antiquity until the present, Zhao Lu analyses the eclectic and fictitious representations of Confucius that have been widely celebrated by communities of people throughout history.
  • About the Author: Zhao Lu is Assistant Professor of Global China Studies, New York University Shanghai, China.
  • 256 Pages
  • History, Asia

Description



Book Synopsis



Spanning antiquity until the present, Zhao Lu analyses the eclectic and fictitious representations of Confucius that have been widely celebrated by communities of people throughout history.

While mainstream scholarship mostly considers Confucius in terms of his role as a celebrated man of wisdom and as a teacher with a humanistic worldview, Zhao addresses the weirder representations. He considers depictions of Confucius as a prophet, a fortune-teller, a powerful demon hunter, a shrewd villain of 19th century American newspapers, an embodiment of feudal evils in the Cultural Revolution, and as a cute friend.

Zhao asks why some groups would risk contradicting the well-accepted image of Confucius with such representations and shows how these illustrations reflect the specific anxieties of these communities. He reveals not only how people across history perceived Confucius in diverse ways, but more importantly how they used Confucius in daily life, ranging from calming their anxiety about the future, to legitimizing a dynasty, stereotyping Chinese people, and even to forging a new sense of history.



Review Quotes




"Zhao Lu's pluralistic understanding of Confucius not only reveals the complexity of Chinese cultural history, but also the popularity of Confucius in various sectors of Chinese society." --Tze-ki Hon, Beijing Normal University, China

"Iconoclasm abounds in this survey of representations of Confucius that depart from his familiar role as wise old philosopher. Was he a failed counselor? Or ghostbuster? Or a master of arcana? By showing us the range of non-standard representations of Confucius, Zhao Lu makes us question the standard ones, and how they became standard in the first place." --Paul R. Goldin, Professor of Chinese Thought, University of Pennsylvania, USA

"Weird Confucius offers a comprehensive examination ... stand[ing] as a seminal contribution to the field of ancient religious studies in China. This work significantly enriches the academic discourse ... deepens our understanding ... [and] also provides critical insights into the broader dynamics of religious iconography and cultural memory. This scholarly work is indispensable ... a vital resource in the study of Chinese religious history." --Religion Book Reviews

"Zhao's research adds a fresh perspective to contemporary Confucian Studies." --Religious Studies Review




About the Author



Zhao Lu is Assistant Professor of Global China Studies, New York University Shanghai, China.
Dimensions (Overall): 9.0 Inches (H) x 6.0 Inches (W) x .5 Inches (D)
Weight: .71 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 256
Genre: History
Sub-Genre: Asia
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Theme: China
Format: Paperback
Author: Zhao Lu
Language: English
Street Date: October 30, 2025
TCIN: 1010870657
UPC: 9781350327603
Item Number (DPCI): 247-33-0397
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 0.5 inches length x 6 inches width x 9 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.71 pounds
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Q: What unique perspectives does this book bring to Confucian studies?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
  • A: The book offers a pluralistic understanding of Confucius, revealing the complexities in Chinese cultural history and social dynamics.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
    Ai generated

Q: What topics does Zhao Lu explore in this book?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
  • A: Zhao Lu explores various representations of Confucius, including his roles as a prophet, villain, and even a fortune-teller.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
    Ai generated

Q: What is the significance of the diverse representations of Confucius discussed?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
  • A: These representations reflect the anxieties of communities throughout history and show how Confucius has been utilized in various cultural contexts.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
    Ai generated

Q: Who wrote 'Weird Confucius' and what is his academic background?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
  • A: The book is authored by Zhao Lu, who is an Assistant Professor of Global China Studies at NYU Shanghai.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
    Ai generated

Q: How does the book challenge mainstream views of Confucius?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
  • A: It highlights unconventional depictions that contradict the traditional images, prompting readers to reconsider established beliefs about Confucius.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
    Ai generated

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