Traditional Chinese Stories: Themes and Variations (C & T Asian Literature Series) [Paperback]

Joseph S. M. Lau (Author, Editor), Y. W. Ma (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0887270719 | ISBN-13: 978-0887270710 | Publication Date: June 1, 1986

For centuries the Chinese referred to their fiction as hsiao-shuo, etymologically meaning "roadside gossip" or "small talk," and held it in low regard compared to classical poetry and drama. Not until the 20th century was the Chinese story internationally recognized as a beautiful and vital expression of the Chinese spirit. Spanning the former Han dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 8) to the early Republican years, these 61 selected stories represent the five major forms of Chinese fiction: pi-chi, ch'uan-ch'i, pien-wen, hua-pen and kung-an. With tables listing each selection in its proper chronological sequence and with extensive notes explaining difficult allusions and the placement of each story in the development of Chinese literature, this collection provides an excellent text for students of comparative literature and Chinese fiction.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Chinese

Product Details

• Paperback: 603 pages
• Publisher: Cheng & Tsui (June 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887270719
• ISBN-13: 978-0887270710
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #574,879 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars About This Book..., October 25, 2011

By 

Theseus "theseus" (US of A) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Traditional Chinese Stories: Themes and Variations (C & T Asian Literature Series) (Paperback)

Handsome and chunky trade paperback from Cheng & Tsui out of Boston. 603 pp; 2.5 pounds. With a Chronology, Bibliographic Notes, Index to Footnotes, and Chronological Order of the Selections.

Spanning the former Han Dynasty to the early Republican Years, these 61 selected stories represent the five major forms of Chinese fiction: pi-chi, ch'uan-ch'i, pien-wen, hua-pen, and kung-an.

The book is ordered thematically. Each chapter is a different story type such as The Selfless Friend, The Ingrate, The Ghost Wife, The Reunited Couple, The Trickster, and The Judge. Each of 18 different story types contains between and 3 to 6 different stories.

"...the most comprehensive collection of Chinese stories translated into English" - Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies

"This thoughtfully concieved and meticulously executed anthology of pre-Modern Chinese stories from both the literary language and the vernacular traditions is the most valuable work of its kind available in any Western language...." - Ming Studies

"This sizeable volume of 61 stories is a major contribution.... The editors have suceeded at the formidable task of making one book from the manuscripts of over 30 translators." They are to be praised for "the accuracy of the translations, the readibility of the English, and the careful and sensible selection of the Chinese source[s]...." - Journal of Asian Studies

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CONFUCIAN THOUGHTS IN ANCIENT TALES, August 28, 2009

By 

Daniel Garshman "LOGS28" (BRYN MAWR, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Traditional Chinese Stories: Themes and Variations (C & T Asian Literature Series) (Paperback)

EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF 2500 TEARS OF CONFUCIAN BASED THOUGHTS IN TALES OF OLD. THE MAIN PROBLEM IS THE STYLE CHANGES DUE TO THE WIDE RANGE OF TRANSLATORS, THE BOOK DOES HOWEVER GET TO THE HEART OF MANY CENTURIES OF CHINESE CULTUR.E