Customer Reviews

Monkey (Penguin Classics)

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Waley's abridged translation of the popular Chinese classic Journey to the West is an approachable version for the initiate but I strongly recommend W. J. F. Jenner's excellent full and unabridged translation, also available from Amazon. Waley's abridged version concentrates mainly on the beginnings of the pilgrimage (e.g. Monkey's origins, his bid to overthrow Heaven, his subsequent imprisonment, his rescue by the holy pilgrim from Tang, and the conversion of the other disciples) and only a couple of the adventures along the road to Buddha's Western Paradise. Jenner's translation, spread over four volumes, covers all these and much more - a total of 81 adventures and misadventures spread over 100 chapters. If you like Waley's translation, go on and get Jenner's fuller version. Monkey is China's version of the universal trickster-hero. Jenner captures all of Wu Cheng En's sly humour, and you cannot help but laugh out loud when you read his translation.

In the preface to his translation, Waley tells us that the author of MONKEY lived between 1505 and 1585 A.D. The protagonist of the tales, Tripitaka was a real person, better known to history as Hsuan Tang, who lived in the seventh century A.D. There were contemporary accounts of Hsuan Tang's pilgrimage. These accounts, along with a cycle of fantastic legends that began appearing around the tenth century A.D. and the stage presentations which began in the thirteenth century provided the source material for Wu Ch'eng-en's wonderful tales. (This is Waley's spelling.)

The first seven chapters are dedicated to telling Monkey's story up until the time he became Tripitaka's disciple. Monkey, mostly through trickery has become more powerful than most of the gods and has rebelled against them until he is finally overpowered and imprisoned in a block of stone. He is freed in order to become the first of the three disciples.

In chapters eight through twelve we are introduced to Hsuan Tsang (Tripitaka) and learn about the origins of his pilgrimage to India. The balance of the one hundred chapters are dedicated to the pilgrimage itself.

Early in the pilgrimage, Tripitaka acquires two additional disciples, Pigsy and Sandy. Each of the three disciples has been placed in Tripitaka's path by the gods, and each has unique magical powers. Without these powers, and the support and encouragement of these sometimes reluctant disciples, the pilgrimage would never have been completed, as there are no end of dangers, evil-doers, and monsters to overcome, and because Tripitaka is a rather weak and timid pilgrim who needs constant encouragement.

The pilgrimage does end successfully and Tripitaka and each of his disciples are rewarded in heaven as follows:

Tripitaka becomes the "Buddha of Special Merit." Monkey becomes the "Buddha Victorious in Strife." Pigsy becomes "Cleanser of the Altar." and Sandy becomes the "Golden Bodied Arhat."

As is befitting for a book about a spiritual, though physically challenging, adventure the author ends by dedicating these hundred chapters to "the glory of Buddha's pure land."

We are told that these tales are for the entertainment of children and adults alike. While I agree that this is true of the content of the tales, it is my opinion that reading this translation would be difficult for young children. There are translations available that are written in more child friendly language. For any reader of mythology, MONKEY should be a welcome addition to your reading list.

When reading Journey to the West or Monkey one would be so engrossed by the tantalizing action, the fairy-tale like settings, and animated characters that one would forget that there are many layers to this book. It is a fairytale as well as a satire and a historical fiction based on the true events of Tan San Zang (Tripitaka in the book).

With the outline of Tan San Zang's pilgrimage to India to fetch Buddhist scriptures during the arts and cultural Bronze Age of China, the Tang Dynasty, Journey to the West expands his perilous journey over the Gobi desert, Kyrgyzstan, and other Silk Road routes to India in an ingenious way.

As a satire, Monkey unleashes the imagination against the cultural backdrop of China. It plays on the three major religions and ways of thinking of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism and blatantly and playfully laughs at them. Like a good joke, one who pokes fun at oneself- it is not hard to see why Monkey has become a favorite Chinese classic touching every mind, young and old.

Other than being a satire, like most fables and fairytales, Journey to the West has imbedded moral values that can be found. The characters are fictionalized, except for Tripitaka, and are governed with checks-and-balances. Tripitaka is not too far-fetched from the original Tan San Zang conducting the same pilgrimage, yet he is portrayed as a feeble monk who often "cries like a woman" but his tenderness can move his disciples. Monkey or Sun Wu Kong is witty and the most powerful of Tripitaka's disciples, yet his downfall is his arrogance. Pigsy, another disciple is slow but he is none-the-less loyal and brave. Sandy, also one of the three disciples is mostly along for the ride but he represents sincerity. Even though a big part of their journey is out of this world, taking place in the heavens, the underworld, or under-the-sea worlds, their lively characters embodying their flaws and assets can be related to by anyone who tried to get along with another person.

Lastly, the translation of the book by the famous Arthur Waley preserves the comical essence of the book. Furthermore, the most important sequences of Journey to the West can be found and enjoyed in his translation of Monkey.

a fine translation with surprisingly few footnotes, but the sheer length and readability make it worth the while