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Average customer rating:

Ancient Chinese Huckelberry
Excellent Translation of Chinese Classic
Funny, moralistic folk tale.
A review of my favorite book of all time
Rereadable!

Monkey: Folk Novel of China
Wu Ch'eng-en
Manufacturer: Grove Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Customer Reviews:

Ancient Chinese Huckelberry.......2007-01-21

A blurb from The Nation describes the book as a "combination of picaresque novel, fairly tale, fabliau, Mickey Mouse, Davy Crocket, and Pilgrim's Progress." I would add to that list The Divine Comedy, The Odyssey, Huckleberry Finn, 1001 Arabian Nights and modern political satire. But despite the seemingly esoteric description, it is a light, breezy novel. The reader doesn't need to know who Lao Tzu is to laugh when he pinches Monkey and tells him "Be off with you, be off with you, and don't let me find you hanging round here [heaven] anymore." The reader doesn't need to have a few University years of Chinese fiction or philosophy under the belt before laughing at Monkey stuffing himself with the Jade Emperor's peaches. Nor, even, does the reader need to be steeped in morality, for, though having early attained immortality and, we all know, on fast track for Buddhahood, Monkey still likes to crack a dragon joke before clobbering one over the head with his cudgel in "a real garlic-pounding blow that will finish him off for good and all."
Waley's translation flows lightly, using a vernacular that is simple, easy and inviting, and, at the same time, reminiscent of the sagacity of the veteran Boddhisatvas, many of whom make guest appearances. It is a beautiful, wild, fun story centered around a stone-born ape, aka Monkey, aka "Aware of Vacuity," who tromps the world over in search of mischief, power, peaches, sacred texts and enlightenment. Strikingly similar to 1001 Arabian Nights in both form, wisdom, and content.
"I wonder whether a knowledge of the True Scriptures would not cause some improvement in them? Do you yourself possess those scriptures?'" asked the Bodhisattvas! `Yes, three baskets of them,' said Buddha," and the journey begins...

Excellent Translation of Chinese Classic.......2006-01-10

Monkey (or the Monkey King or The Journey to the West) is one of the great epic novels in Chinese culture. Set in the 6th century, but not written in the current form until the 16th century (it was part of an oral tradition before that), the story is on the surface about the pilgrimmage of a Buddhist Priest, Hsuan Tsang, and his 3 disciples/side-kicks: Monkey, Pigsy and Sandy, as they journey to India to bring back sacred scrolls from Buddha. Arthur Waley has done a truly impressive job of translating, editing, and bringing to life a selection of the stories (30 from 100 original chapters) from the original Chinese book. He retains the complete first section about Monkey: How he was born from a stone, the trouble and mischief he caused on earth and in heaven, and how he reached the title of Sage, Equal of Heaven until getting imprisoned in a stone under a mountain. Waley then presents a selection of the adventures that the 4 cohorts encounter in their journey to find the scrolls. Each of the adventures follow the same theme of encounter a difficulty, i.e., some people in trouble, help the people to overcome the difficulty, usually through magical or supernatural powers, and then move on. By translating an abridgement, it prevents this repetitive style from dragging on, and it stays fresh. In addition, to the basic story line, one learns much about ancient Chinese culture, Buddhism, and some about Taoism. Moreover, the 4 pilgrims rather than being model characters are actually quite flawed, which makes the stories fascinating, because it always requires a group effort to surpass each hurdle. This is a wonderful book. Translating from contemporary Chinese to English is difficult enough, but from 16th century Chinese, Waley has done an amazing job.

Funny, moralistic folk tale........2005-12-30

My daughter had this book for a reading assignment during thanksgiving break and I had to get a copy for myself plus another one to share. Anyone reading Monkey will identify with the main character at some point, if not throughout, the book. Highly recommended.

A review of my favorite book of all time.......2005-05-02

I have always enjoyed epics. My current read is The Epic of Gilgamesh (the completion of which is frequently interrupted by returns to the masterpiece you are reading about). Previous to reading Monkey, Dante's Divine comedy ranked highest on my list. My interest in the anime and manga story Dragonball (and subsequently, Dragonball Z) turned me onto the Story of Monkey and The Journey to the West.

Comedy is the word I would use to describe Monkey, moreso than Dante's work. The central character's rise to glory is so colorful and intricate, one cannot help but laugh. The introduction of Kwan-Yin brings a serious aspect to the tale and a more admirable goal, but the focus on Monkey keeps the nature of the journey in check. Despite the absurdity of the characters Monkey and Pigsy in particular (though not them alone), the story maintains a very epic feel.

This version (up until Kwan-Yin's introduction) deals very little with all the Buddhist dogma that permeates the story. Even afterward, Monkey's mission is at the forefront. The author has done a fine job making the tale accessible to everyone (being a white, American, Christian with appreciation for Buddhism and Taoism) and has cut much non-essential dialouge.

One thing I had to get used to was the structure of the text. Paragraph breaks are not always used and oftentimes, conversations are not broken up in the traditional "..." he said "..." she said" format. Oftentimes, many quotes are strung together before you know who is saying what. The style takes a little getting used to, but this book still gets 5 stars. BUY THIS BOOK! You will not regret it.

Rereadable!.......2004-09-19

I'm reading this entertaining book for the sixth time. I met it over thirty years ago in a college class, and now my own students read it in Literature of the Non-Western World.

Enjoy some music that somehow fits the book: Alan Hovhaness's Mountains and Rivers Without End.

Monkey (A Folk Novel of China, Evergreen E-112)

Average customer rating:

Monkey (A Folk Novel of China, Evergreen E-112)
Wu Ch'eng-En
Manufacturer: Grove Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GKPNUQ

Product Description

This Chinese classic combination of picaresque novel and folk epic, which mixes satire, allegory and history into a rollicking tale, is probably the most popular book in the history of the Far East. It is the story of a rougish monkey and his encounters with major and minor spirits, gods, demigods, demons, ogres, monsters and fairies.

Average customer rating:

MONKEY Folk Novel of China
Wu Ch'eng-En (translated by Arthur Waley)
Manufacturer: Grove Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GYHJ5Y

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