The Dragon Daughter and Other Lin Lan Fairy Tales

Name: The Dragon Daughter and Other Lin Lan Fairy Tales
Brand: Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand
SKU: 9780691214412
Price: 39.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

Series: Oddly Modern Fairy Tales

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3.5

( 12 ratings, 5 reviews)

Summary

The Dragon Daughter and Other Lin Lan Fairy Tales is a captivating collection of forty-two enchanting Chinese tales, many appearing in English for the first time. Originating in the early twentieth century and gathered under the pseudonyms Lin Lan and Lady Lin Lan, these stories weave traditional oral narratives with Western influences. Readers will encounter magical themes ranging from folk legends to comic tales, featuring characters like fairies, predestined lovers, and transformative creatures such as garden snails and dragon daughters. The introduction and appendices provide valuable historical context and insights into the folk traditions of modern China.
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Format: Paperback / softback

$39⁹⁹

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The Dragon Daughter and Other Lin Lan Fairy Tales

$39⁹⁹

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?

Lovers of folktales and fairy tales, students and scholars of folklore, and readers interested in Chinese culture and history will find this collection especially rewarding. Its blend of traditional and modern storytelling appeals broadly to those curious about cross-cultural narratives and the enduring power of myth.

Description

A delightful collection of modern Chinese tales.

The Dragon Daughter and Other Lin Lan Fairy Tales brings together forty-two magical Chinese tales, most appearing for the first time in English. These stories have been carefully selected from more than a thousand originally published in the early twentieth century under the pseudonyms Lin Lan and Lady Lin Lan—previously unknown in the West, and now acclaimed as the Brothers Grimm of China.

The birth of the tales began in 1924, when one author, Li Xiaofeng, published a set of literary stories under the Lin Lan pen name, an alias that would eventually be shared by an editorial team. Together, this group gathered fairy tales (tonghua) from rural regions across China. Combining traditional oral Chinese narratives with elements from the West, the selections in this collection represent different themes and genres—from folk legends to comic tales. Characters fall for fairies, experience predestined love, and have love/hate relationships with siblings. Garden snails and snakes transform into cooking girls, and dragon daughters construct houses.

An introduction offers historical and social context for understanding the role that the Lin Lan stories played in modern China. Appendixes include information on tale types and biographies of the writers and contributors.

The Dragon Daughter and Other Lin Lan Fairy Tales is a captivating testament to the power of storytelling.

Series: Oddly Modern Fairy Tales

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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?

Maria Tatar of Foreign Policy highlights the collection's stark contrasts, noting its unflinching depictions of violence alongside tributes to beauty's allure. Library Journal praises the book as enjoyable and an exciting glimpse into rural Chinese oral traditions, complimenting Zhang's approachable prose. Bob Rickard from Fortean Times calls it an exuberant celebration of humanity that translates beautifully into a fresh and joyful read. Jing Li in the Journal of American Folklore commends the compilation as a valuable scholarly resource fostering cross-cultural understanding and preserving often-overlooked Chinese folk narratives.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780691214412

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 March 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: Princeton University Press

Illustration: 12 b/w illus. 2 tables.

Contributors:

Foreword by Jack Zipes
Edited and translated by Professor of Chinese Studies Juwen Zhang
Edited by Professor of Chinese Studies Juwen Zhang

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 240

Collections

Biography & Memoir Education & Reference Fiction General Fiction Historical Fiction Series: Oddly Modern Fairy Tales

About the Author

Juwen Zhang is professor of Chinese Studies at Willamette University, fellow of the American Folklore Society, and current president of the Western States Folklore Society. Jack Zipes is the editor of The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm (Princeton).

The Dragon Daughter and Other Lin Lan Fairy Tales