Cathay: A Critical Edition

The book showcases Ezra Pound's innovative translations of classical Chinese poetry, which significantly influenced modern American literature. His vivid imagery and dynamic free-verse style established a new literary approach, sparking interest in Chinese poetry among English speakers. Notably, Pound's work was based on Ernest Fenollosa's notes, as he did not know Chinese himself. This collaboration highlights a profound cultural exchange, leading T.S. Eliot to regard Pound as the "inventor of Chinese poetry for our time."