From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up–An authoritative, but not comprehensive, resource. The authors have drawn on many works in Mandarin as well as extant scholarly texts in English. They discuss sources and treatments of Chinese myths in the past and present, offering an overview of the interaction between myth and society. Surveying Chinese history and the history of the study of myths, the authors identify some areas for future scholarship. They provide a chronology of Chinese dynasties and include non-Han minorities in their discussions. The writing is clear and correct (though the Weaving Maiden is said to wed a cowboy), if not inspired. An extensive annotated bibliography cites selected Internet and video as well as print resources. The index is detailed. Although entries on dragons and on culture-heroes are fascinating, users will look in vain for Guanyin, Monkey (Sun Wukong), Yen Lo Wang, Feng Du, Yuan Shi Tian Zong, Guan Yu, and other folk and Taoist gods. This book should expand students ideas about the extent and significance of Chinese myths, but the absence of many myths that are known, even if imperfectly, in the West will limit its usefulness.
–Patricia D. Lothrop, St. Georges School, Newport, RI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Information about Chinese mythology has been limited by language and access to primary sources. This volume attempts to fill a gap by providing a resource written in English by Chinese mythologists. The wife and husband team of Lihui Yang and Deming An, who were research fellows in the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology at Indiana University in Bloomington, have studied Chinese mythology extensively. Yang teaches mythology at Beijing Normal University.
The introduction comprises about a quarter of the volume and provides an in-depth look at Chinese mythology as a whole. It explains the difficulty of researching these myths, the most obvious being that no integrated system of myths exists among the 56 ethnic groups in China. Some myths are recorded in ancient writings and artifacts (such as vessels, shells, or bones), and some are transmitted only orally. The main sources are described, and commonalities of myths across China are noted. The history and cultural context of these myths are then detailed.
The dictionary portion of the work describes 70 deities, themes, and concepts. Most entries are about two pages long, although they vary in length from a page to almost 10 pages (for Shennong, the Divine Farmer). Most of the entries treat figures (largely unknown to Western readers), but a few describe mythological concepts and places such as elixir of Immortality and Kunlun Mountain. Entries note definitions, sources of information, stories, and the role of each myth, and most include cross-references and bibliographic information. Black-and-white illustrations and photographs dot the book. An appendix offers an annotated list of print, video, and Web resources about Chinese mythology. A detailed index concludes the volume.
Although it is not well illustrated, this volume provides useful information to the reader. The authors' credibility and in-depth scholarship offer a rare opportunity to experience Chinese mythology through Chinese eyes. Recommended for academic and large public libraries. Lesley Farmer
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
