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Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio

By Pu Songling
Penguin Classics
0.0 (0 reviews)
4.05 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 2,480 ratings, 276 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio by Pu Songling is a classic collection of over four hundred short stories that weave Chinese folklore, ghost stories, and tales of the supernatural. The book blends the mundane with the mystical, offering intriguing narratives filled with strange occurrences and extraordinary beings. Each story provides a fascinating glimpse into the culture and imagination of 17th-century China.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this classic collection of fantastical tales if you are intrigued by supernatural elements blended with allegory and satire. It will appeal to readers who appreciate stories rich in cultural and historical context, offering a glimpse into the imaginative world of Qing dynasty China.

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Act as miniatures that aim to be regarded as the pinnacle of classical Chinese fiction. These tales with their prose and wordplay, include 104 stories that reveal a world, in which nothing is as it seems. Here a Taoist monk conjures up a pear tree, a scholar recounts his incarnations, and a woman out-foxes the fox-spirit that possesses her.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A major new translation of a classic of Chinese literature almost completely unknown to the English-speaking world.

The Strange Tales of Pu Songling (1640-1715) are exquisite and amusing miniatures that are regarded as the pinnacle of classical Chinese fiction. With their elegant prose, witty wordplay, and subtle charm, the 104 stories in this selection reveal a world in which nothing is as it seems.

Here a Taoist monk conjures up a magical pear tree, a scholar recounts his previous incarnations, a woman out-foxes the fox-spirit that possesses her, a child bride gives birth to a thimble-sized baby, a ghostly city appears out of nowhere, and a heartless daughter-in-law is turned into a pig.

In his tales of humans coupling with shape-shifting spirits, bizarre phenomena, haunted buildings, and enchanted objects, Pu Songling pushes back the boundaries of human experience and enlightens as he entertains.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Pu Songling's Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio is praised for its magical and entertaining narratives, featuring a rich array of supernatural elements like ghosts, demons, and fox-spirits. The collection is likened to subtly risqué stories or episodes akin to The Twilight Zone, being fast-paced and lighthearted. With its concise and wryly humorous tales, the book offers an engaging reading experience reminiscent of adult bedtime stories.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140447408

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 May 2006

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by John Minford
  • Introduction by John Minford

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 34.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 194.0mm

Weight: 420g

Pages: 608

Collections

Best Sellers at Book Hero Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Fiction General Fiction In Stock Books In-Stock Fiction Books Literary Fiction New Release Fiction Penguin Black Classics Penguin Books Penguin Classics Penguin Classics: General Fiction Pu Songling

About the Author

John Minford (Introducer, Translator) John Minford is an emeritus professor of Chinese at the Australian National University. He has produced renowned translations of some of the most beloved works of Chinese literature, including The Story of the Stone, The Art of War and the Tao Te Ching.

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