The Scholars

The Unofficial History of the World of the Literati, this classic novel, written in the Chinese vernacular and published around 1750, is Wu Ching-Tzu's account of many friends (and enemies), academics all, who struggle to cope with the burdens of a Confucian society and the difficulties of the Civil Service Exam. It's book that appeals in every era. Under Mao, the work was taught to mainland students, not for the comedy, but to educate on the failings of "the Old Way." Follow this author as he charts through faculty, of good morals and bad, with noble objectives and venal ones, on a Ming Dynasty romp you'll find impossible to put down.

Literature & Fiction

Ching-Tzu, Wu

Yang, Gladys

Classics

Silk Pagoda

The Romance of Three Kingdoms, Vol. 2

Containing the last 60 chapters of this epic Chinese work, ably translated by Brewitt-Taylor. In this second volume, we learn more of the rise of Jin, the fates of Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Quan, and how the near-century of strife caused by the fall of Han came to a close.

Guanzhong, Luo

Brewitt-Taylor, C. H.

The Romance of Three Kingdoms, Vol. 1

Containing the first 60 chapters of this epic Chinese work, ably translated by Brewitt-Taylor. Romance of Three Kingdoms, dating to the 14th Century, is the legendary epic of the fall of Han and the founding of Jin. Dealing with plots, complex men, wars, intrigues, marriages and assassinations, this book, one of the four great Chinese classics, is foundational literature on a par with The Illiad or The Lay of the Cid.

Samguk Yusa

A fascinating work, dating from the late 1200s. This book (Yusa), is not just a story but a collection of histories, anecdotes and memorabilia, covering the origins of Korea's three monarchies--Silla, Paekche and Koguryo, offering an account of the latter nation that differs quite a bit from what you'll read in Chinese history books. Translated by Professor Ha Tae-Hung of Yonsei University, with special help from Grafton Mintz.

Samguk Yusa: Legends And History Of The Three Kingdoms Of Ancient Korea

Ilyon

Poetry

A prose translation of Vietnam's national epic. Kieu, as the work is generally known, is the tale of filial obligation, love, betrayal, war and redemption. A young girl, gifted in the arts of music and poetry, falls in love with a poor scholar. But to pay her father's debts she agrees to marry for money. Wrong husband chosen, she becomes at times a slave, a nun, a concubine of a rebel commander, before finally returning to the family and man she loves.

Kim-Van-Kieu

Nguyẽ̂n, Du

The Story-bag: A Collection Of Korean Folk Tales

Kim, So-un , 1907-1981

The legendary account of 108 "Stars from Heaven" who, faced with a corrupt bureaucracy, flee to Liangshan Marsh, from a fortress there thwarting minions of the evil regime while continuing to serve the emperor. In its mix of politics, military tactics, action, martial arts, magic, and even the bawdy (the chapters on Wu Song laying the groundwork for Jin Ping Mei), this beloved novel is an unsurpassed classic in any language

The Outlaws Of The Marsh

Luo, Guanzhong

This collection contains some of the best Chinese tales from the third to the sixth century. They fall into two main categories: stories of the supernatural and anecdotes about historical figures. The former, which clearly predominate, evolved from earlier myths and legends.

The Man Who Sold A Ghost

Children's Books

Written by Liu E, an intellectual born at the end of the Qing Dynasty. By describing what Lao Can sees and hears in his travels, the author fiercely attacks the injustices he witnessed and exposed the hypocrisy of so-called "honest and upright officials." Intriguing novel, and one of the last books to be written in the "old style" of Chinese narrative.

The Travels Of Lao Can

Travel

Liu, E

Asia

The ten stories in this collection can be divided into three main categories: stories of the supernatural, stories with a political theme or adventure stories, and love stories. Supernatural events form the theme of most of the earliest stories. China had always been rich in mythology, and, after the introduction of Buddhism into the country, tales of ghosts and spirits became even more popular, so that during the Six Dynasties we find a great number of such tales. The earliest Tang story, An Ancient Mirror, is made up of a number of supernatural tales about an old bronze mirror. Ren the Fox Fairy, The Dragon King's Daughter and The Spendthrift and The Alchemist all belong to this category. They differ, however, from earlier stories of the same type in having more closely knit plots and more colourful detail, being, in fact, consummate works of art imbued with all the vitality of their age.

The Dragon King's Daughter: Ten Tang Dynasty Stories

World Literature

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