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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... girl had died of a sudden illness, and in his mournful sighing for her, he wanted to die. Because he was far away from his family, Lu put his daughter's coffin in the monastery where Zhang was studying. Zhang performed religious ...
... girl wearing a smile, standing in the lantern's light. Startled, Zhang jumped up and asked what had happened. The girl replied, “I could sense your feelings towards me, and I couldn't help but forget the usual concerns about reputation ...
... girl resumed their usual meetings as before. One night, while she was turned towards Zhang and laying upon his chest, the girl's tears fell like spilled beans as she cried, “Five happy years now come to an end! I'm so indebted to you ...
... girl arrive and cried, “Are you coming or not?” “I'm coming,” the girl responded. Then she turned back to Zhang and told him, “This is it, we have to part now; don't forget what I told you.” Zhang promised. She walked over to the ...
... and beautiful, so her parents loved her very deeply. Though wealthy families inquired about marriage arrangements, the girl always refused them. Surprised, her parents asked her why and she frankly told them Strange Tales from Liaozhai 397.