Classic Short Stories and Folk Tales
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Title
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Mini Review
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十二樓
A Tower for the Summer Heat
Written by Li Yu, 1657
Translated by Patrick Hanan
Columbia University Press, 1998
256 pages
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Rating:
A translation of half the stories of Shi'er Lou, a book
of short stories by the author
of
The Carnal Prayer May. The
translation takes its title
from the first story, in
which a scholar uses a new technology from
the West, a telescope, to spy
on his neighbors. With his new found
knowledge he proceeds to woo
the girl and convince the
girl's father of that the
marriage is predestined. The other stories are equally unconventional
and
fun.
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Chinese Fairy Tales and
Fantasies
Multiple authors
Translated and edited by Moss Roberts
Random House, 1980
260 pages
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Rating:
A collection of short stories, tales of magic, and
fables. Many, such as the story titled
The Lost Horse, offer a poignant
lesson. Others, such as those written by Pu Sung-ling, the 18th
century master fantasy storyteller, are enigmatic. Other stories
were taken from Taoist writers Chuang Tzu and Lieh Tzu. Completing the
selection is the lead (and best) story in
The Scholars.
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梁山伯與祝英台
Butterfly Lovers
Written by Fan Dai
Homa and Sekey Books, 2000
251 pages
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Rating:
The story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai is well
known in Chinese popular culture. At a time when women were not supposed
to get an education, Zhu Yingtai tricks her parents into agreeing to send her
to boarding school, disguised as a man. There she falls in love with Liang
Shanbo, her best friend and classmate. Unfortunately, by the time Liang
Shanbo finds out about the girl's true gender, she has already been betrothed
to another man. This book is not a translation but a retelling of the story
based on Chinese sources. The story has been adapted to theatre, movies, and
inspired the writing of the "Butterfly Lovers" violin concerto by Chinese
composers in 1958.
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Chinese Ghost Stories for Adults: Sex, Love, and
Murder between Spirits and Mortals
Written by Pu Sung-Ling (1640-1715)
Translated by Tom Ma
Barricade Books, 2000
214 pages
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This is a translation of selected stories from the Liao Tsai Chih
Yi, a classic from 18th century containing over 400 short stories. |
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Chinese Fables and Wisdom
Translated by Tom Ma
Barricade Books, 1997
144 pages
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