Strange Tales from Liaozhai - Vol. 2The weird and whimsical short stories in Strange Tales from Liaozhai show their author, Pu Songling (1640-1715), to be both an explorer of the macabre, like Edgar Allan Poe, and a moralist, like Aesop. In this first complete translation of the collection's 494 stories into English, readers will encounter supernatural creatures, natural disasters, magical aspects of Buddhist and Daoist spirituality, and a wide range of Chinese folklore. Annotations are provided to clarify unfamiliar references or cultural allusions, and introductory essays have been included to explain facets of Pu Songling's work and to provide context for some of the unique qualities of his uncanny tales. This is the second of 6 volumes. |
From inside the book
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... began to stress the point that the crafting of the collection was “an act of serious self-expression” (Zeitlin 27), while later authors like Zou Tao (fl. ca. 1884) helped to spread the descriptions of the thatched shed where Pu would ...
... began moving about, he lost his footing, went under, and consequently drowned. He was startled awake from a deep sleep and thought it all rather strange. Henceforth, his body began growing stronger, as did his eyesight. When he stroked ...
... peeked out to check on him, but found that his appearance didn't fit with his age, began to cry, and returned, complaining that her father had deceived her. Lu swore that it was Zhang. 398 Strange Tales from Liaozhai.
... began to massage her corpse, reciting blessings for her. Instantly he heard the sound of coughing come from her throat. Then he suddenly saw her mouth open and out came lumps of phlegm that were as cold as ice. He removed her to a bed ...
... began to chant, his eyelashes a finger's width in length, as if he hadn't heard. A moment later, he was asked the question again. The monk immediately opened his eyes wide and in a stern voice cried, “I want to collect in this way!” He ...