Subject
China -- Social life and customs -- Fiction Books
Best books
Songling Pu
Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio (Volumes 1 and 2)
"Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio (Volumes 1 and 2)" by Pu Songling is a collection of Classical Chinese stories written over forty years from the late 1600s to early 1700s. Comprising nearly 500 tales of ghosts, foxes, and supernatural encounters, these stories blur the boundaries between the otherworldly and everyday reality. Rather than frightening readers, they explore passionate emotional entanglements between humans and spirits, often containing implicit critiques of society. The work has influenced generations of writers and remains celebrated as a pinnacle of Chinese supernatural literature.
Songling Pu
Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, Vol. 1 (of 2)
"Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, Vol. 1 (of 2)" by Pu Songling is a collection of Classical Chinese stories written between the early 1670s and early 1700s. Comprising nearly five hundred "marvel tales" featuring ghosts, foxes, and supernatural beings, these stories blur the boundaries between the otherworldly and everyday reality. Rather than frightening readers, they explore passionate emotional entanglements through rich romanticism and philosophical depth. Critics have praised the work's allegorical nature and literary craftsmanship, with some viewing it as implicit social criticism of Qing dynasty society.
Songling Pu
聊齋志異
"聊齋志異" by Songling Pu is a collection of Classical Chinese stories written between the early 1670s and early 1700s. Comprising nearly 500 "marvel tales," this work blurs boundaries between supernatural and everyday reality, exploring passionate emotional entanglement through stories of ghosts, foxes, and spirits. Written over forty years, it circulated in manuscript form among friends before its first publication in 1766. Critics have praised its allegorical depth, literary technique, and romantic style, establishing it as the most acclaimed Chinese supernatural tales collection of its era.
Songling Pu
Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, Vol. 2 (of 2)
"Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, Vol. 2 (of 2)" by Pu Songling is a collection of classical Chinese tales written between the 1670s and early 1700s. This volume forms part of a compilation containing nearly 500 stories that blur the boundaries between the supernatural and everyday reality. The tales explore passionate emotional entanglements through encounters with ghosts, foxes, and otherworldly beings. Rather than frightening readers, these romantic and philosophical stories use vivid detail to make transitions between realms seem natural, while subtly critiquing societal problems of Qing dynasty China.
Lafcadio Hearn
Some Chinese Ghosts
"Some Chinese Ghosts" by Lafcadio Hearn is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The book explores a variety of supernatural tales and legends from Chinese folklore, showcasing ghostly encounters and the mystical elements of Chinese culture. Through richly descriptive prose, Hearn invites readers into a world where the ordinary intersects with the extraordinary, blending themes of beauty, tragedy, and the ethereal. The opening of the book features a preface that sets the tone for the stories to come, as Hearn explains his fascination with the "weird beauty" of Chinese legends. The first tale, "The Soul of the Great Bell," introduces the character Kouan-Yu, a mandarin tasked with creating a powerful bell for the emperor, Yong-Lo. However, after two unsuccessful attempts to cast the bell, Kouan-Yu faces the threat of execution. His daughter, Ko-Ngai, in a bid to save her father, selflessly jumps into the molten metal to ensure the bell's success. This act of love transforms her essence into the bell, which subsequently tolls with a haunting beauty, echoing her name and story throughout the ages. The beginning not only captivates with its lyrical storytelling but also foreshadows the deep emotional and moral themes that will permeate the rest of the collection.
Unknown
Eastern Shame Girl
"Eastern Shame Girl" by G. Soulié de Morant is a historical novel first published in the early 20th century, drawing from classic Chinese literature of the 17th century. The narrative explores themes of love, sacrifice, and societal expectations through the tragic story of Li Chia and the alluring singing girl, Tu Shih-niang. Their relationship unfolds against a backdrop of cultural norms and familial pressures, illustrating the complexities of desire and loyalty. The opening portion of the novel introduces Li Chia, a young man of promise who travels to Peking for examinations but finds himself enamored with the celebrated singing girl Shih-niang. He is captivated by her beauty and sincerity, but their love is marred by financial struggles and familial obligations. As Li tries to secure enough money to buy Shih-niang's freedom from her life as a singing girl, their deep emotional bond is tested by societal expectations and personal insecurities. The stakes grow perilously high as time runs out, leading to a fateful turn of events that underscores the romantic tragedy at the heart of their story.
Recently surfaced classics