Cambodian Folk Stories from the Gatiloke

by Muriel Paskin Carrison, Kong Chhean

A collection of traditional Cambodian fables popular with children and educators.

Genres: Asia, Nonfiction, Folk Tales, Folklore

140 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1900

Reviews

[Csenge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short yet entertaining read. 15 stories, plus an appendix about the history and culture of Cambodia. The stories are all Buddhist teaching tales, and they reflect Buddhist world views in all kinds of intriguing ways - rascals don't get punished (that's up to karma), and people who believe them are seen as deserving to be tricked. Contains a story about a clever princess, and a whole lot of tricksters. Enjoyable read.

[Inger Lise]

Nydelige eventyr fra en annen kultur. Med samme formål. Oppdra barn, lære om moral, rett og galt, og ydmykhet.

[Jheelam Nodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

ছোটর মধ্যে অনেক অজানা লোককাহিনী জানতে পারলাম৷ তবে অনুবাদের মধ্যে মধ্যে অতিরিক্ত ইংরেজি শব্দের ব্যবহার কিছুটা দৃষ্টিকটু লেগেছে। নইলে পুরো ৪ তারা দিতাম

[Darren Cormier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although only containing 15 of the 121 stories in the Gatiloke, these 15 stories still give wonderful insight into some of the underpinnings of the Cambodian Buddhist traditions. Unlike most modern versions of Americanized fairy/folk tales, many of these stories are not sanitized and the stories are not changed to ensure a happy or less gruesome ending. Some are warnings against greed, avarice, and immorality. Some are lessons of what happens when one uses reason as opposed to believing in magic and superstition (one of the tenets of Theraveda Buddhism: logic and reason trumps "magic" and belief in that which cannot be proven), or what happens when one believes in magic and superstition as opposed to listening to reason and logic.
Highly recommended for those interested in fairy tales and multiculturalism, Cambodian history, and Theraveda Buddhism.

[Gladys Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect companion while traveling in Cambodia 🇰🇭
Easy to read, lots of culture and short stories that makes you understand the behavior of the people (and why they are so so so kind!)
At the end of the book, there’s a Glossary of words and also a bit of Cambodian history. I’m really grateful to have discovered this book just after my trip!
#travelbooks #khmer

[Andry DeJong · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute set of tales translated form the Gatiloke. I do wish that the translators translated all 113, and not just a sample set.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Ang]

had such a fun time reading these simple bumpkiny folktales that i will surely pass down to my children in an ancestor core esque way

[Sakilen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intéressant. C'est la première fois que je lisais des nouvelles cambodgiennes bien que je sois de cette culture. J'aime bien les petites explications qui suivent les nouvelles par rapport à leur leçon de vie. Par contre, l'appendice n'avait pas vraiment de rapport avec les contes en général...

[Gina Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

culturally revealing