The Chinese Storyteller's Book: Supernatural Tales

by Michael David Kwan

Born in Beijing, award-winning author Michael David Kwan (recipient of the Kirayama Pacific Rim Book Prize) has a strong affinity for his country and its culture. His latest work, The Chinese Storyteller's Book is an authentic collection of nine mythical stories based on ancient Chinese folk tales. First exposed to these tales during his childhood in China, Kwan heard them told by story tellers on street corners. Like most oral traditions, the tales were colored by the personality, imagination, and experience of the teller, with each story being slightly modified from teller to teller. Now, magically retold by Kwan and imbued with his own personality, imagination, and experience, these tales explore a variety of subjects and life lessons through a cast of fantastic and supernatural characters. They The Fox Faery's Wedding, To Be the Best, The Foxes, The Pear Tree, Whiskers and Bright Eyes, The Fisher's Tale, The Night Singer, M'Lady, and The Butterfly. Imaginatively drawn illustrations and an insightful introduction by Kwan make The Chinese Storyteller's Book a magical experience for readers of all ages.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, China

Paperback

First published November 1, 2001

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you like fairy/folktales but feel sheepish reading them because you're an adult, then this is the collection for you.

chinese folktales told with a twist, they are more reminiscent of the vignettes out of akira kurosawa's Dreams (which is a wonderful, if not entirely consistent set of short films). they are much more than bedtime stories, and i love the imagery in the stories, such as the ones with the fox fairies (which actually has had me imagining an entire photo series for half a decade based entirely on one of these stories alone).

i love this collection and would give it to anyone i thought might appreciate it; and i'd love to be surprised by those that i didn't know would like it but do.

[Caroline]

I read all but the last two stories before I had to return it.

I would suggest the following stories for Seminar. Excuse the very blunt shorthanded themes intended as a rough guide:

"To Be the Best" -- the false promise of being "the best"
"The Pear Tree" -- the dangers of greed
"The Foxes" -- the importance of death
"The Fisher's Tale" -- steadfast honesty wins the day

[Razana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting to read about another culture's supernatural tales.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chinese vampires, fox fairies, dreams and nightmares. Diverting, but not world-class.