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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... wine on the ground and would say in benediction, “Despite having seen only the profile of your noble face, I've grown quite attached to you; I didn't expect that you would die before I had a chance to get to know you. Now though you're ...
... , and wasn't very courteous to him. Han also treated him as a common traveler. The Daoist drained more than twenty cups of wine, then took his leave and went on his way. From then on, any time Han gave a dinner party, 401.
... wine, while Han, meanwhile, became rather vexed with his frequent presence. One time when they were drinking, Xu mocked the priest by saying, “You're always ready to be the guest, so why don't you ever serve as the host once in awhile ...
... wine—I'll take a little rest and come right back.” Then he walked away. Next to the wall on the south side of the room was a bed with mother-of-pearl inlay, upon which the girls laid a brocade mattress before helping the priest to lay ...
... wine set out so they could enjoy themselves. Calmly the host said, “You're a wise individual, so I hope we can forgive each other. Thinking over our warm friendship, how could I not be overjoyed to have you marry into my family? But ...