Dream of the Red Chamber, also called The Story of the Stone, is one of China's greatest literary works. Professor John Minford discusses the background of this novel, written by Cao Xueqin during the High Qing of the 18th century.

Prof. Minford is a sinologist and literary translator, primarily known for his translations of Chinese classiscs such as 'The Story of the Stone', 'The Art of War' and 'I Ching'. He graduated from the University of Oxford with First Class Honours in Chinese Studies, and later studied for his PhD at the Australian National University. Since 2006, he has been Professor of Chinese at the School of History and Language in the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific.

Supported by the Australian Centre on China in the World