Chinese Literature Classic Short Stories and Folk Tales
| Title | Mini Review | |
|---|---|---|
| 十二樓 A Tower for the Summer Heat Written by Li Yu, 1657 Translated by Patrick Hanan Columbia University Press, 1998 256 pages |
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 |
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 |
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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| 聊齋誌異 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 |
This is a translation of selected stories from the Liaozhai Zhiyi, a classic from 18th century containing over 400 short stories. | |
| Chinese Fables and Wisdom
Translated by Tom Ma Barricade Books, 1997 144 pages |
