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danelleeb 's review for:
Chinese Fairy Tales and Fantasies
by Moss Roberts
According to the book, Chinese Fairytales and Fantasies include a "number" of tales that have never before been translated into English. It also points out that most of the tales are now scattered throughout books which are out of print or nearly impossible to obtain. Some of the tales date back to 3rd & 4th century b.c.
The book is divided into sections by topic. First, 'Tales of Enchantment and Magic.' This section is where you'll find stories of people turning into animals (mostly tigers and fish), stories of dragons, mortals and gods and even battling crickets.
The second section, 'Tales of Folly and Greed' is self-explanatory where most of the tales revolve around people's loss of memory, foolish escapades, and people generally being taken advantage of. This part of the book definitely had a 'let-this-be-a-lesson-to-you' vibe.
Section three, titled, 'The Animal Kingdom' included tales about mice, of men changing into tigers, a giant using a person as tiger-bait, a faithful dog, and even a tale titled: Educated Frogs and Martial Ants.
Next was the section 'Women and Wives' and following that was 'Ghosts and Souls' where we read about former lives, crossing over to the spirit world, humans misleading ghosts, and reincarnation. The final section, 'Judges and Diplomats' with tales of clever judges and political strategy.
Overall, an interesting volume, and like all fairytales, there are some gruesome parts but also wisdom and humor. (I mean, I had no idea ghosts' biggest fear was human saliva!)
The mistress questioned the maid long and brutally until the girl, having admitted nothing, finally died of her injuries. (p. 150)
The soldier drew his sword, flourished it, and in a flash cut the prisoner's head off. It rolled several feet and was still turning when it exclaimed admiringly, "Some sharp sword." (p. 195)
The book is divided into sections by topic. First, 'Tales of Enchantment and Magic.' This section is where you'll find stories of people turning into animals (mostly tigers and fish), stories of dragons, mortals and gods and even battling crickets.
The second section, 'Tales of Folly and Greed' is self-explanatory where most of the tales revolve around people's loss of memory, foolish escapades, and people generally being taken advantage of. This part of the book definitely had a 'let-this-be-a-lesson-to-you' vibe.
Section three, titled, 'The Animal Kingdom' included tales about mice, of men changing into tigers, a giant using a person as tiger-bait, a faithful dog, and even a tale titled: Educated Frogs and Martial Ants.
Next was the section 'Women and Wives' and following that was 'Ghosts and Souls' where we read about former lives, crossing over to the spirit world, humans misleading ghosts, and reincarnation. The final section, 'Judges and Diplomats' with tales of clever judges and political strategy.
Overall, an interesting volume, and like all fairytales, there are some gruesome parts but also wisdom and humor. (I mean, I had no idea ghosts' biggest fear was human saliva!)
The mistress questioned the maid long and brutally until the girl, having admitted nothing, finally died of her injuries. (p. 150)
The soldier drew his sword, flourished it, and in a flash cut the prisoner's head off. It rolled several feet and was still turning when it exclaimed admiringly, "Some sharp sword." (p. 195)