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Title: Monkey: A Selection of Incidents from a 16th Century Chinese Novel by Cheng-En Wu, Ch'Eng-En Wu, Eleanor Hazard ISBN: 0-914676-14-8 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Merchandise & Pub. Date: 01 June, 1979 Format: Hardcover List Price(USD): $25.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (3 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: A shortened version of Monkey's wacky hijinks
Comment: 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.
Rating: 4
Summary: Buddha of Precocious Merit
Comment: 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.
Rating: 4
Summary: good.
Comment: a fine translation with surprisingly few footnotes, but the sheer length and readability make it worth the while
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Title: Walden: An Annotated Edition by Henry David Thoreau, Walter Harding, Walter Roy Harding ISBN: 0395720427 Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company Pub. Date: 01 September, 1995 List Price(USD): $30.00 |
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Title: Nectar in a Sieve (Signet Classics (Paperback)) by Kamala Markandaya, Indira Ganesan ISBN: 0451528239 Publisher: Signet Classics Pub. Date: 01 January, 2002 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
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Title: Inner Revolution: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Real Happiness by Robert Thurman ISBN: 1573227196 Publisher: Riverhead Books Pub. Date: 01 March, 1999 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: The Columbia Anthology of Traditional Chinese Literature by Victor H. Mair ISBN: 0231074298 Publisher: Columbia University Press Pub. Date: 15 April, 1996 List Price(USD): $34.50 |
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Title: The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are by Alan Watts ISBN: 0679723005 Publisher: Vintage Books USA Pub. Date: 01 August, 1989 List Price(USD): $10.95 |
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