A Chinese Anthology: A Collection of Chinese Folktales and Fables

by raymond-van-over (Editor)

Smearing the Ghost's Face with A Chinese Anthology edited by Raymond Van Over, published by Picador Books.

Genres: Fiction, China

238 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 1973

Reviews

[Heav · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this book many times, the obvious to the sublime and it never fails to take me. Reading only the english translations, maybe I am missing some of the underlying meanings, but it started my journey into other cultures folktales.

[Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bunch of parables and fairytales taken from three millenia. Fun, and Other to me. Van Over has a thing for Pu Songling, the vernacular master of the form shunned by the mandarin system because of his colloquial and ornamental style. I’m not sure I learned much, but it beats Aesop.

[Alec]

#4.4
The story of Li's scandalous treatment of his mistress became widely known among the literary and romantic circles of Changan. One and all sympathized with and lauded Miss Jade for her deep attachment to her lover and condemned Li for his heartlessness.

#5.2
When he had finished his discourse, he was becoming somewhat drowsy and felt like taking a nap. As the innkeeper was then engaged in cooking some millet for his meal, the old Taoist reached for his bag and took from it a pillow which he handed to the young man.

[Mike S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains a diverse and interesting collection of Chinese folk stories that deal with the metaphysical. I found a couple of the stories to be really fascinating, but all of the stories give you a good look into the Chinese cultural. Anyone interested in China and the metaphysical will find this book worthwhile, even if some of the stories are a bit mundane, obvious or boring.