Customer Reviews

Monkey ~ A Journey to the West (The classic Chinese tale of pilgrimage and adventure)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I currently own 3 different versions of "Journey to the West", and of the three, this one is probably the best compromise between detail and brevity. I am currently reading it to my 7-year-old (I read it by myself a while ago), and while the vocabulary is definitely a stretch (I have to explain 4 or 5 words on most pages), he's really loving it. The story has all the appeal of a Martial Arts novel, The Wizard of Oz, and a Buddhist philosophical treatise blended into a thoroughly entertaining tale for all ages.

I previously read "Adventures of Monkey King" (ISBN 0962076511) to my son, and while the language was much more appropriate for a young child, the story was overly abridged, and a lot of the detail that makes the story fun and interesting was lost.

This edition tells the beginning and the end of the story very well, but leaves out all of the middle episodes between finding the dragon horse, Pigsy, and Sandy and getting to the mountain of fire. As a result, Pigsy and Sandy are a bit under-developed, but the Monkey King definitely gets a real chance to shine, and you do get a decent feel for Pigsy and Tripitaka, at least. I kind of appreciate that they left the whole middle section out instead of picking random stories, because that makes it easier to go back to the full version of the story ("Journey to the West (4-Volume Boxed Set)", ISBN 7119016636), and fill in the missing stories if you want to.

The way it's told here, the actual journey itself is the smallest part of the story. It's all about setting up the characters and reaching Inda. In the full-length version, the story is mostly about the journey, and how it changes the characters.

This version is very good for those who want to get the flavor of the characters and "find out what happens", but the full version is best for those who really just want to enjoy reading about the Monkey King doing what he does best, and aren't anxious for it to end. Be warned, though, the full version can drag a bit if you're hoping to actually see the plot move along.

I have heard that the book "Monkey/Folk Novel of China" (ISBN 0802130860) best captures the comedic aspects of the story, so that will be my next purchase.

The British (well, really, Chinese via Japan) TV series "Monkey" is also based on this story. I discovered that it has recently been released on DVD in Australia, and that a British release is coming that will include the 13 previously unaired Japanese episodes (with subtitles). As the series was never aired in America, I may need to buy a PAL DVD player to watch it, so that's what I plan to do. The story is that good.

This is a decent telling of the Chinese story, but it doesn't deliver on its own promises: Kherdian says that he includes more episodes and more of the spiritual aspects of the story than are found in the famous Arthur Waley version, but sadly, he does no such thing (especially in a crucial and famous scene toward the end). Kherdian's version is certainly readable and enjoyable, but Waley's is more thorough and includes more of the religious elements of the original.

However, Kherdian's version may be better for younger readers than Waley's as, of the two abridgements, it is the easier to read.

Monkey was not exactly what I was expecting. From the description, I thought this story would be heavily involved in Eastern Philosohpy, and use analogies to explain the Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucianist dogmas.
Instead, the majority of the book describes the dozens of battles between monkey and various demons and spirits. The specifics/tactics of these battles are described, including weapons (axes, swords, maces, monkey's cudgel, etc.), the magical transformations used (monkey growing to 10000 feet tall, or turning into a bird, etc.), and the status of the battle (300 rounds and no-one gaining an advantage, the opponents head being chopped off, etc.).
Although there is some discussion of monkey's training in "The Way" (with some Taoist and Confucianist ideas), and some of the Buddhist theories (right action, non-violence), the story is more focused on the adventures and battles of monkey and his master, who is searching for Buddhist scrolls.

I just love the TV series monkey and the book is just as interesting. I found a really old copy at a junk sale. Before that I had no idea of the origin of the series. I just thought is was an amusing variation on samurai, ninja type themes. The original text is, however, the reason for the depth of philosophical thought which the series contains. I have no idea whether the philosophy goes into kids heads, or straight over them, but they seem to love it and the book makes great bedtime reading for children who love the series.

This book is fantastic, It's a great read but thats just me because I love Asian myth's and things of the sort. But few know that this book is the basis of the incredibley popular anime Dragon Ball Z. Yes thats right, im not making this up this is 100% true. If you look up the story for dragon ball, the first in the series of dbz, you will find that it is incredibley similar to this book. Monkey represents Son Gokou, the pig represents oolong, the great king of the mountain is ox king. If you are a big time DBZ fan like me, read this book and find out the origin.

This translation of the classic Chinese novel is not nearly as good as the previous Arthur Waley edition, also available from Amazon. This edition has the adventage of being greatly simplified, and therefore may be more suitable for young readers. Fans of the Waley edition might also be interested in this edition as a source for a few slightly different stories selected from the much longer original. However, this edition eliminates much of the texture of the original and is overall much, much shorter than Waley's. Most readers would be far wiser to choose Waley's classic edition. This is a poor substitute at best, except possibly for children.

If you are a huge fan of the Journey to the West do not purchase this abridgement, buy the whole 3-4 volume set also available on Amazon. Otherwise the translation and abridgement here is fine for a quick, fun read.

While this is the only version of the Monkey King story that I have read, I have read other Eastern philosophy stories, and I have to say that this version is definitely the most readable of all of them. That being said, I did find the story to be a little light on the Eastern wisdom it was meant to deliver. However, if you're looking for a fun story based on some Eastern principles to read to your children, this could be it.

This novel depicts the life of a trickster monkey who sets out on a spiritual journey in search of immortality. He is faced with many struggles but eventually he finds the secret he is looking for. Instead of using this new found power in a positive way, Monkey uses it to hurt, manipulate, and decieve others. Although it vividly describes the battles, characters, and settings, "Monkey, Journey to the West" does not give much information on the foundations of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. We only can decipher that one's struggle to spiritual healing and growth is long and arduos so that only those with true dedication and longing in their hearts shall achieve such desires. Monkey represents the humanistic approach combined with our faults of carelessness, selfishness, and restlessness. It allows us to explore our inner self in a comparatively different but similar way such as Monkey. It is a fun read for those who enjoy true fiction.

Im sorry but this book was the WORST book I've EVER read! Mabye It's just because i dont enjoy reading about a stupid monkey that knows kung fufu and wants to live forever!!!!! It had no point!!!!!!!!!!!!!