What do Chinese think about four great classical novels of Chinese literature? This is an answer to a question on Quora - What do Chinese think about four great classical novels of Chinese literature?Do all Chinese read them? Do they have it in their School curriculum? Are they very popular? Here is what i post: They are very popular, but for their stories, not for the original literature. The original book’s popularity is a kind of limited to the professional literature study field. Chinese who are familiar with the novel itself is far less than Chinese who know the plots well. So many artworks pay tribute to them that even you've never read them, you can tell the plots as well. Many stories in the book have been adapted into TV shows, films, and dramas. And lots of operas, songs, and even dances are also related to them. In this aspect, it's somehow like the Bible. A further dimension of the literary importance of the Bible is that it is the primary source and influence for English and American literature. Four great classical novels show various facets of Chinese culture and, similarly, provide important materials for art reproductions. And those art reproductions make the stories even more popular in turn.