Monkey: A Superhero Tale of China, Retold from The Journey to the West

Ancient Fantasy #4

by Aaron Shepard

If you think Superman or Spiderman has been around a long time, think about Monkey. He has been China's favorite superhero for at least five centuries. He's amazingly strong, he can fly, and he has a few tricks those other superheroes never heard of. And he's always ready to do battle with demons, dragons -- sometimes even the gods. Monkey stars in The Journey to the West, an epic comic fantasy from the sixteenth century. The part retold here is about Monkey's origin and early career -- and the one time he didn't come out on top.

Genres: Mythology, Fantasy, Fiction, Asia, Classics, Young Adult, Humor

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Aaron Shepard is the author of many books, stories, and scripts for young people, as well as professional books and resources for writers and educators. He has also worked professionally in both storytelling and reader's theater, as a performer, director, and teacher trainer. Aaron's lively and meticulous retellings of folktales and other traditional literature have found homes with more than a dozen children's book publishers, large and small, and with the world's top children's literary magazines, winning him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. His extensive Web site, visited by thousands of teachers and librarians each week, is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader's theater, while his stories and scripts have been featured in textbooks from publishers worldwide, including Scholastic, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, SRA, The College Board, Pearson Education, National Geographic, Oxford University Press, Barron's, Hodder Education, and McGraw-Hill.

Reviews

[Jim Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very short read, and entertaining. It was free on Amazon so I grabbed it. I've been meaning to read Journey to the West (which is over 2k pages), but I'm going to opt for the shorter Monkey: The Journey to the West (which has been reduced to under 400). This was a good intro to the tale and now I'm sure I'll eventually read the longer version(s). I've been interested to get into Wuxia since I like the old school kung fu movies based on Wuxia novels.

[Dj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, easy and clear. This is a book that takes part of the Journey to the West and strips down much of the wording you get with a normal translation of that book. The purpose is to make it easier to understand and enjoy. A task that the author does with admirable skill. My only regret is that he didn't continue on and do it for the whole of the Journey to the West. I own a translation of it and have had a great deal of difficulty getting enough traction on it to finish it. Mostly I haven't gotten of of the beginning which is about Monkey.

Hopefully this version will do well enough that the author considers doing just such a thing.

A fun read for all ages. But probably best for younger readers.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good retelling of the Monkey story. Suitable for children and adults.

[Kai C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked it but the version was short. It was short and simple.However, it did leave me wondering more about beloved Monkey King.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shepherd does a wonderful job of conveying Monkey's assertive and irritating character, as well as the broad humor of the tale. It's an adaptation of the first part of the Chinese novel, Xi you ji, The journey to the West, and a delight to read.

[Lindberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting.

I enjoy reading myths from other countries and this is one of the most well known in the Chinese culture.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice summary

A good retelling of the origin of Monkey and an introduction to Chinese mythology that encourages you to learn more.

[Noah Letner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to the tales of the Monkey King! Good for youth and the newbie adult.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Bernie Gourley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this on Kindle for a nominal price, and it turned out to be a great read. It is based on a much longer Chinese folk tale about a monkey that achieves the status of immortal.

The dramatization of events seemed a little lacking in the early part of this novella-length work. However, as it goes on it becomes much more intriguing. Of course, there is a challenge to translating /adapting a traditional work. The question of how much dramatic license one should take becomes important.

It follows the Monkey King from birth, through his search for immortality, to its mischief in, and banishment from, heaven.

There is also a nice epilogue that describes some of the characters from Buddhism and Taoism that are mentioned in the course of the tale, some of which might not be all that familiar to readers.

[Addison · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Highly recommend!

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale for every heart to read and digest.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early reader chapter book version of the monkey king. Great tone gently humorous. Great notes in the epilogue re the history & characters

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this shortened tale...and it is fun to read so far

[Dr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

China's most fameous fairy tale is full of Eastern approaches to thought and morals.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read, pretty short. I read another version of the Monkey King story while in Junior High. I found it fascinating. This is a very faithful modern language adaptation. Wish it were longer!

[bkwurm · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read this as a free ebook.

This is an extremely simplified and shortened version of the early chapters of the Journey to the West. My impression is that this is aimed at very young children.

[Diana Anstett]

Summary: China's favorite hero, the monkey king made accessible to young children. Heroism, culture, bravery, honor.
Classroom use: Multi cultural heroes, enhancement reading

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun little story of a mischievous monkey with great powers and immortality. I read it to the kids, and they seemed to enjoy it.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable, quick, humorous story. The perfect introduction into classic Chinese literature for readers like myself who are just beginning to learn Chinese culture and the English language.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little short story about a monkey superhero. I'm really curious about the rest of the story since this is only 7 chapters out of 100. I'll have to see if the rest is translated.

[Leslea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seamus truly enjoyed these.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable read and has my 8yr old daughter and myself wanting to read the complete adventures of this Monkey King!!

[Blaine Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun quick story about a humorous character in Chinese mythology - you can easily read this in one or two sittings. Monkey's antics were fun to read and I'd be interested in reading more about him.

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent retelling of a 16th century Chinese fable.

[Scott Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mythology

Great mythology

I love mythology and always read the Greeks and Romans. This was my first Chinese o.e and what a great introduction.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent retelling of a fantastic story.

[B. Barron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.
Okay primer for those who have no clue about Monkey.

[Mayumi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Como reconto das aventuras do Rei Macaco, fez o seu trabalho: me deu vontade de ler a Jornada ao Oeste!

[Don Gubler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting Eastern fairytale.