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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... servants rolled out a carpet beneath the hall's roof and the two girls danced, their long garments whipping about briskly while their fragrant scent filled the room; when they were finished dancing, they rested against a painted screen ...
... servants to take sticks and chase him away, so the visitor ran off. He left behind his donkey, so they examined it, finding it to be a large creature with black hair, pointed ears, and long tail ... servant Strange Tales from Liaozhai 407.
Pu Songling. host became even more frightened. One particularly vigorous family servant commanded his fellows to make ... servants drew near and picked them up, they became sorghum leaves. They laughed and said, “This is all their tricks ...
... servant conducted him on his way until they entered a palace and Li received his official garments; subordinates and clerks respectfullywaited in attendance on him quite solemnly. The account books were piled up together on a table ...
... servants all left, and Li then returned to life from the dead. Hu Shuixin, a friend of his, heard that Li had come back to life and decided to pay him a visit. Li hastily asked him, “When are you holding the Buddhist ceremony?” Hu ...