Monkey King Makes Havoc in Heaven

by Wu Cheng'en

Wu Cheng’en’s 16th-century novel Journey to the West is widely regarded as one of the most important Chinese novels ever written. Here, in Julia Lovell’s witty and charismatic translation, we meet one of its heroes: Sun Wukong, or Monkey King, whose powers include shape-shifting, immortality and being incredibly rude. Though he rises to a position of power in the heavenly bureaucracy, Monkey King’s arrogant exploits attract the attention of the Buddha – with very unfortunate consequences.

112 pages, Paperback

Published April 17, 2025

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Wu Cheng'en (simplified Chinese: 吴承恩; traditional Chinese: 吳承恩; pinyin: Wú Chéng'ēn, ca. 1505–1580 or 1500–1582, courtesy name Ruzhong (汝忠), pen name "Sheyang Hermit," was a Chinese novelist and poet of the Ming Dynasty, best known for being the probable author of one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, Journey to the West, also called Monkey.

Reviews

[Duncan "The Experience" Peat]

One of the most relatable characters in all literature. Monkey just wants to have fun and be a powerful immortal sage equal to heaven, just like me.

[Juliano · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Taking his magic staff out of his ear, Monkey turned it into a cudgel and went on such a rampage that the Nine Luminaries and Four Heavenly Kings preferred to stay at home and pretend they couldn't hear any-thing. The slow-cooking, it seems, had only further refined Monkey's powers. With discipline, he might become a force for supernatural good; without it, he was pure animal - a wrecking ball in Heaven.” I loved Wu Cheng’en’s mythic Monkey King Makes Havoc in Heaven, translated by Julia Lovell, which took place in such an unfamiliar narrative landscape that was entirely delightful to behold. Also, I want the phrase “a wrecking ball in Heaven” tattooed on my face. This quasi-origin myth and parable of advancement and hubris comes from Journey to the West, often considered among the greatest Chinese classic novels; this particular cross-section of the wider work is concerned with a monkey king who learns the Tao and achieves unbelievable power — and misuses it to the annoyance of the authorities of heaven, who he rebels against. I love its vivid descriptions and imaginative fantasy world: “When the drums of Heaven sounded, Monkey followed ten thousand courtiers through a gold-studded jade door to the emperor's throne room, the Hall of Divine Mists. Topped by extravagantly decorated eaves and ferocious-looking carved animal guardians, the hall was roofed by a vast, brilliant dome of purple-gold, beneath which goddesses fluttered fans and crystal platters were heaped with elixirs. Earth paled in comparison.” Thanks again to Maria and Penguin for another Penguin Archive book!

[Althea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Growing up with watching different variations of Monkey King adaptations has made me forget that it was first a book before it was a well-known tv icon in Asia. I wasn’t fond of Monkey King because I knew he was an irritating and arrogant character and didn’t want to commit to the entire book, Journey to the West. When I saw this small part of the story hit the shelves, I wanted to learn about the story of how Monkey King became the monkey king. I didn’t fully enjoy this novella as Monkey was just insufferable to read able and just plain annoying but at least now I can say without prejudice that Monkey was an irritable creature. The part that I really enjoyed was Buddha humbling Monkey at the end of the book, which was well deserved and I was happy there was an ending that is appropriate and pragmatic for the havoc caused rather than having no consequences for Monkey just because he was the main character.

[Yahya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, clean (I'm not a conservative but it can be nice to read a good "clean" book), and well written. It is not pedantic; it is clear, fast, and fun. It also feels timeless but that is probably also partly due to the translator.

oh yeah, it is also the first book I read 90 pages of in two hours. so that's worth something I guess.

[Daniel Schafhäutle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little book. Ill have to get the sequel (journey to the west?)
This really was just a monkey wreaking havoc in heaven.

It was funny to read also because it gave some more background for the anime God of Highschool, where one of the charakters is based on him.

[Ruben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun, loose translation of a Chinese literary classic. Reads a bit like a children bedtime story, but also plenty enjoyable for those in later phases of life :)

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is essentially rage-quitting your job but it’s a hyperactive monkey doing it instead

[Vanja Petkovska · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is surprisingly funny asf, shoutout monkey

[Jonathan Pritchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful translation of a classic tale. Sun Wukong is a loveable rogue and it was a joy to spend a few hours reading his exploits. Highly recommend