Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Penguin Classics (1977), Paperback, 352 pages
Description
Probably the most popular book in the history of the Far East, this classic combination of picaresque novel and folk epic mixes satire, allegory, and history into a rollicking tale. It is the story of the roguish Monkey and his encounters with major and minor spirits, gods, demigods, demons, ogres, monsters, and fairies.
User reviews
LibraryThing member raschneid
A whimsical, exciting, episodic, satirical Chinese epic featuring one of the very greatest trickster characters I've had the pleasure of meeting in fiction. This book was so much fun and helped me appreciate a lot of the tropes that appear in contemporary East Asian storytelling (particularly
This translation is heavily abridged but beautifully told, and I appreciate that Waley leaves individual episodes fully intact in his abridgement.
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anime).This translation is heavily abridged but beautifully told, and I appreciate that Waley leaves individual episodes fully intact in his abridgement.
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LibraryThing member cajela
What terrific fun! Anyone who enjoyed the TV series will also love this. It's an abridged version of the very long full text, selected and translated by Arthur Waley. Most of the poetry is dropped, and many adventure episodes, but Waley keeps story sections entire so that you get a good flavour of
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the whole work. It's full of magic, puns, slapstick, monsters, gods, demons and fights. All told in a lucid and easy to read fairy-tale adventure style. It's thoroughly enjoyable, and a fascinating insight into ancient Chinese culture. Show Less
LibraryThing member clfisha
An abridged collection of the classic 16th century Chinese supernatural adventure stories all dealing with the lively, roguish Monkey. Always full of tricks, always getting himself into trouble against the gods, he fights demons, dragons and bandits with his amazing array of powers. He is joined by
Monkey is abridged (thank goodness because it's huge), very easy to read and periodic in style (so it's great to pick up occasionally). It's fun, amusingly silly and fast paced..you don't really need to know much about Chinese history or eastern religion, spotting satire or allegories is not necessary for enjoyment.
All recommended to anyone interested in eastern myth and also those wanting something different form their fantasy
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a motley cast of characters from the spiritual Tripitaka to the gluttonous Pigsy. If you have seen the old TV Show you will get the gist but obviously there is much more to be found here and thankfully no poor special effects.Monkey is abridged (thank goodness because it's huge), very easy to read and periodic in style (so it's great to pick up occasionally). It's fun, amusingly silly and fast paced..you don't really need to know much about Chinese history or eastern religion, spotting satire or allegories is not necessary for enjoyment.
All recommended to anyone interested in eastern myth and also those wanting something different form their fantasy
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LibraryThing member isabelx
THE NATURE OF MONKEY IS IRREPRESSIBLE!
I bought this book because when I was in my early teens, the whole family used to enjoy watching the dubbed Japanese television series "Monkey" (and "The Water Margin" as well). The book actually starts before the Bodhisattva Kuan-yin sends Tripitaka on the
Hsuang Tsang, aka Tripitaka, is a historical figure, who travelled to India in the 7th century A.D. to bring back Buddhist teachings to China. By the time Wu Ch'eng-en wrote his book in the 16th Century, many legends had grown up around Tripitaka's journey, and he turned them into a satire on Chinese bureaucracy as well as an adventurous tale full of supernatural dangers and demon-slaying.
I bought this book because when I was in my early teens, the whole family used to enjoy watching the dubbed Japanese television series "Monkey" (and "The Water Margin" as well). The book actually starts before the Bodhisattva Kuan-yin sends Tripitaka on the
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long journey to India to bring Buddhist scrolls back to China, and chooses Monkey, Pigsy, Sandy and the horse that used to be a dragon to accompany him, telling the story of Monkey's eventful early life, and how governor's son Tripitaka came to be separated from his parents and grow up in a monastery.Hsuang Tsang, aka Tripitaka, is a historical figure, who travelled to India in the 7th century A.D. to bring back Buddhist teachings to China. By the time Wu Ch'eng-en wrote his book in the 16th Century, many legends had grown up around Tripitaka's journey, and he turned them into a satire on Chinese bureaucracy as well as an adventurous tale full of supernatural dangers and demon-slaying.
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LibraryThing member kchung_kaching
Required reading for all Asians.
LibraryThing member gibbon
Having lived with and enjoyed Arthur Waley's translation for most of my life, beginning with the Readers' Union edition of the 1940's, it is impossible for me to look at it again with an unbiased eye. The monk Tripitaka was a historical figure who undertook the long and difficult journey from China
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to India and back in the 7th century AD to fetch Buddhist scriptures for the enlightenment of the Chinese people. Myths and legends grew up around this true story which was frequently used as the subject matter for plays in the Chinese theatre. Wu Ch'eng-en used this traditional material as the basis for his long and rambling novel written in the 16th century - in his introduction Waley describes it as being "of immense length" which he reduced to a manageable size by omitting many episodes but translating those which remained almost in full while omitting incidental passages in verse. His rather dry and donnish style makes the fantastic elements of the story more believable and the book can be read on several levels - as adventure story, witty allegory and handbook of esoteric religion, or all three at the same time. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rynooo
Packed with humour and delivered with naive charm, this is a masterful translation of a timeless folklore classic. The roguish but wise Monkey is a constant source of amusement and his audacity is at times genuinely laugh-out-loud hilarious.
Clocking in a little over 350 pages, the broad tale spans
A joy to read for both adults and children & highly recommended.
Clocking in a little over 350 pages, the broad tale spans
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hundreds of years and moves along at a generous pace, never once rushed. Chock-full of monsters, epic battles, magic and shenanigans, each encounter along our heroes' journey is as delightful as the last.A joy to read for both adults and children & highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member funkendub
Walter Hesford gave me this upon completion of my thesis at U. Idaho. One of the best books ever.
LibraryThing member AlCracka
I'm just stalking Maija's shelves right now. So...I didn't know this existed.
LibraryThing member escalus1222
The Chronicles of Narnia of Eastern Religion
Combining the philosophy of Buddhism with a swashbuckling adventure story, Monkey (also known as Journey to the West) gives readers a little insight into Chinese history and culture. Depending on how one reads the book it can be a light tale of a
Combining the philosophy of Buddhism with a swashbuckling adventure story, Monkey (also known as Journey to the West) gives readers a little insight into Chinese history and culture. Depending on how one reads the book it can be a light tale of a
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short-tempered monkey with a big stick, or a deeper text describing an ethos that has only recently gained popularity in the West. Show Less
LibraryThing member margaretfield
journey of a monkey that is steeped in metaphor; so damn readable
LibraryThing member AHS-Wolfy
The story of how Monkey became a king, learned great power, earned the title of Great Sage - Equal of Heaven, caused such mischief and mayhem that he was entombed beneath a mountain for 500 years before being released to accompany and protect Tripitaka on a pilgrimage to India to bring back
The original tale is a sprawling epic of immense length and the translator's, Arthur Waley, introduction tells how this abridged version "omits many episodes, but translating those that are retained almost in full, leaving out, however, most of the incidental passages in verse, which go very badly into English" and it works very well. The inclusion of more of these incidents probably would have made the tale too repetitive as many of them are quite formulaic and follow the same pattern. It is also quite episodic in nature and so could be read in small doses quite easily though some chapters end with a cliffhanger which will be resolved in the next. This is an amusing, somewhat satirical adventure story that pokes fun at the bureaucratic establishment. While some understanding of Chinese culture and allegory would add to the understanding of what is contained in this book it's not at all requisite to enjoying what is on offer.
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scriptures to lead the Chinese people on the path to true enlightenment. Can Monkey, with the help of another two rascals that are recruited along the way and a dragon who is turned into a horse, shield the young priest from the many dangers and trials that he will face on their journey to the west?The original tale is a sprawling epic of immense length and the translator's, Arthur Waley, introduction tells how this abridged version "omits many episodes, but translating those that are retained almost in full, leaving out, however, most of the incidental passages in verse, which go very badly into English" and it works very well. The inclusion of more of these incidents probably would have made the tale too repetitive as many of them are quite formulaic and follow the same pattern. It is also quite episodic in nature and so could be read in small doses quite easily though some chapters end with a cliffhanger which will be resolved in the next. This is an amusing, somewhat satirical adventure story that pokes fun at the bureaucratic establishment. While some understanding of Chinese culture and allegory would add to the understanding of what is contained in this book it's not at all requisite to enjoying what is on offer.
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LibraryThing member bradleybleck
This book may well be the source of magical realism in the west, whether or not the magical realist writers have ever read this piece. Similarly, all of the western traditions found in the novel are in this text, from the picaresque to satire to the epic.
LibraryThing member MrsLee
Written in the 1400s, China, these tales were old even then. They tell about Monkey, born of rock, and irrepressible. After being imprisoned by Buddha for his many high-spirited hi-jinks in Heaven, he is granted freedom on the condition he help a monk, Tripitaka, seek scriptures in India. These are
So much fun to read! Some of the chapters were odd, but others were quite gripping. All of them had a fun sense of humor, especially the chapters where the journey begins and Tripitaka finds Monkey. One chapter proves that potty humor survives through the ages. Arthur Waley must have been a fine translator, because this book is delightful.
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the stories of their adventures. So much fun to read! Some of the chapters were odd, but others were quite gripping. All of them had a fun sense of humor, especially the chapters where the journey begins and Tripitaka finds Monkey. One chapter proves that potty humor survives through the ages. Arthur Waley must have been a fine translator, because this book is delightful.
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LibraryThing member Ghost_Boy
I'm not sure about this translation, wasn't a fan, however, I really enjoyed the story. It's a fun book with plenty of humor, adventure, and fantasy. Most people probably know the story already without realizing it because the story of the Monkey King has been retold numerous times, most notably
I should also note this is an abridged version. I'm not sure I'll ever find or want to read the full version. As much as I like the story, if I'd ever read the full version it'd have to be a really good translation.
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Dragon Ball Z takes several ideas from this story. Besides the Monkey, I also enjoyed Pigsy and Sandy, s this has a unique cast of colorful characters.I should also note this is an abridged version. I'm not sure I'll ever find or want to read the full version. As much as I like the story, if I'd ever read the full version it'd have to be a really good translation.
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LibraryThing member leslie.98
This audiobook jumped right in (no introduction about publisher, translator or narrator). Bits of the tale were a little confusing to me due to cultural and religious background (mine being 20th century Protestant America and the book being 16th century Buddhist China). However, once I adjusted to
Kenneth Williams does an excellent narration, though there were a few times when the British pronunciation of a word would throw me (exorcism for example).
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the style, the story fascinated me. Many of the chapters ended with something like "And if you don't know how Monkey (whatever), read the next chapter." And despite my plan to stop listening for the day, I would continue to the next chapter, and the next and the next...Kenneth Williams does an excellent narration, though there were a few times when the British pronunciation of a word would throw me (exorcism for example).
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LibraryThing member robfwalter
One of the interesting things I learned reading this novel was that in ancient times, the Bodhisattva Kuan-yin was revered not just in China, but as far west as Rome, where she was known as Deus Ex Machina. Seriously, though, one of the things you have to do without in reading this novel is any
However, what did frustrate me was the lack of actual Buddhism in this story. I'm not sure if it's the abridgement, the translation or the original text, but apart from the character names, there's not much here that reflects Buddhist practices or values, at least according to my (limited) understanding. I felt as if with just a few tweaks the story could have been changed to be about a Catholic monk travelling east to India to fetch sacred scriptures, or very easily, a Hindu priest travelling north. I had hoped to find Tripitaka struggling with his demons and each aspect of his personality, represented by his disciples, helping him to overcome them. That is certainly how the classic dubbed TV show Monkey Magic was structured. Instead, Tripitaka bursts into tears every time he encounters adversity and waits for Monkey to sort things out.
I was also very frustrated by the way the main achievement of each adventure is to restore some hereditary ruler to the throne or give a landholder back his land. I didn't expect them to be spreading the word of socialism, but I would have liked it if the four pilgrims had occasionally helped out a peasant or servant.
Despite all that, Monkey's antics are pretty funny at times and the history of this story, as a 16th century novel based on the adventures of a 7th century monk, made it an enjoyable and engaging read. The edition I read would have benefited from giving each speaker a separate line, but the writing was otherwise engaging and accessible while still having an air of authenticity in representing the age and provenance of the original text. I am somewhat tempted to read an unabridged version. Not tomorrow, but maybe some time in the future, and I'm definitely going to find a good account of Hsuan Tsang's original journey.
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dramatic tension whatsoever. You know that Tripitaka and his disciples will get out of every scrape they find themselves in, and if all else seems hopeless, Monkey will just jump on a cloud and ask Kuan-yin for help. That's not actually such a huge criticism, as this novel can't really be compared against modern literature, which operates according to a totally different set of rules, but I did find it meant I could only enjoy this book in small doses.However, what did frustrate me was the lack of actual Buddhism in this story. I'm not sure if it's the abridgement, the translation or the original text, but apart from the character names, there's not much here that reflects Buddhist practices or values, at least according to my (limited) understanding. I felt as if with just a few tweaks the story could have been changed to be about a Catholic monk travelling east to India to fetch sacred scriptures, or very easily, a Hindu priest travelling north. I had hoped to find Tripitaka struggling with his demons and each aspect of his personality, represented by his disciples, helping him to overcome them. That is certainly how the classic dubbed TV show Monkey Magic was structured. Instead, Tripitaka bursts into tears every time he encounters adversity and waits for Monkey to sort things out.
I was also very frustrated by the way the main achievement of each adventure is to restore some hereditary ruler to the throne or give a landholder back his land. I didn't expect them to be spreading the word of socialism, but I would have liked it if the four pilgrims had occasionally helped out a peasant or servant.
Despite all that, Monkey's antics are pretty funny at times and the history of this story, as a 16th century novel based on the adventures of a 7th century monk, made it an enjoyable and engaging read. The edition I read would have benefited from giving each speaker a separate line, but the writing was otherwise engaging and accessible while still having an air of authenticity in representing the age and provenance of the original text. I am somewhat tempted to read an unabridged version. Not tomorrow, but maybe some time in the future, and I'm definitely going to find a good account of Hsuan Tsang's original journey.
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LibraryThing member VClarke
Monkey is the ultimate trickster character; he is hilarious and always finding or creating trouble. Challenging read, but worth it. Very interesting story for upper level high school students. Great for students to see different myths from other countries and make comparisons to some other myths
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that they have read. Show Less
LibraryThing member quantum.alex
This epic is the well-known throughout Korea, Japan, Vietnam and other east and southeast asian countries.
Subjects
Awards
Language
Original language
Chinese
Original publication date
1942 (English)
1570 circa
1592 (first printed edition)
Physical description
352 p.; 7.56 inches
ISBN
0140441115 / 9780140441116