Cai (Chinese and comparative literature, U. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) presents a comparative study of Western and Chinese poetics. The first four chapters focus on the foundational concepts of Western and Chinese literature. The second part of the volume looks at particular literary theories crucial to the development of a critical tradition. Topics include, for example, comparisons of Plato's and Confucius' theories of harmony and comparisons of postmodernist and Buddhist theories of deconstruction. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)