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Zhiguai: Chinese True Tales of the Paranormal and Glitches in the Matrix
"Surprisingly scary and moving...guaranteed to unnerve and unsettle you." —Ginger Nuts of Horror "In translating these stories, the editors establish an immediate and 'shocking similarity' between the experiences of Easterners and Westerners. The slim volume is a delight to read for any fortean." —Fortean Times Discover the China that before now was only whispered about in the dark.In this collection, award-winning writers and translators Yi Izzy Yu and John Yu Branscum share paranormal and glitch in the matrix tales from across present-day China. Confided by eyewitnesses, these true stories uncannily echo Western encounters with chilling dimensions of reality and supernatural entities. At the same time, they thrillingly immerse the reader in everyday Chinese life and occult Chinese True Tales of the Paranormal and Glitches in the Matrix includes such accounts reincarnation of a teenager whose fate eerily mimics his predecessor’s*A girl who dies in the womb but nevertheless continues to communicate with her twin*Terrifying shifts into demonic parallel universes *Walls desperately painted with blood to save a family from tragedy*Huge populations that disappear into thin air*The revenge-seeking ghosts of murdered cats*Weird temporal shifts*Occult murdersFrom the terrifying to the uncanny, this collection will not only change your understanding of China but of reality itself.
166 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2021
11 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Yi Izzy Yu
8 books40 followersYi Izzy Yu works, writes, and cavorts in the weird wilds of Pennsylvania. A former professor at both Chinese and American universities, she now works as a translator and cultural consultant. She is the co-translator of the acclaimed The Shadow Book of Ji Yun, and her fiction, nonfiction, and literary translations have appeared in magazines and anthologies ranging from New England Review and Strange Horizons-Samovar to Unquiet Spirits: Essays by Asian Women in Horror and Silk & Sinew: A Collection of Folk Horror from the Asian Diaspora. She was named a finalist for the 2024 Ignyte Award in Nonfiction and for the 2020 Gabriel García Márquez "Gabo" Award for Literature in Translation.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 30, 2021
The exact type of stories I enjoy reading most. Strange, supernatural, brilliant, creepy, thrilling. Classic tales from China. The next best thing to Pu Songling, and even more concentrated. I hope to see more collections like this one in the future. I never get bored with ghost stories, paranormal phenomena, gruesome nightmares, and dislocations of reality. A collection to cherish and reread. I hope the translator continues her incredible work in this rich genre.
June 13, 2021
I have always been interested in the occult, paranormal, the glitch in the matrix, and stories related to them. When it comes to truly terrifying horror, be it any medium, I have always turned to Asian tales of horror. While I have read my fair share of stories, I am more interested in the tales that people have experienced, tales that sound fictional except that someone has experienced the same in real life. When my friends and I would get together, I would be the one to turn the discussion to the paranormal. So when I came across this book, I was stoked beyond measure. I started devouring it as fast as I could.
I must share this with other readers before I delve into the review that I had a little background of the practices and traditions in China before starting this book, and I come from a place where some bizarre things have happened, so I wasn't put off by some of the descriptions that might trigger people. So I should tell you that the book should have come with trigger warnings.
Zhiguai is a Chinese term that roughly translates to "Records of the strange". These are tales that record the strange events that have occurred to people. Zhuangzi, the Chinese Taoist Philosopher coined the term and has recorded some of the earliest zhiguai, known in Chinese literature. Bear in mind that back in 200 to 300 BC, a lot of things were deemed strange, mostly to their being unidentified and unexplored. A lot of modern-day horror stories that have been depicted in films or books have their roots in classical zhiguai. This book is a collection of modern zhiguai. From a grandfather who visited his granddaughter after death, to cats seeking revenge and a grisly murder being solved by the victim who should be dead by every means, this collection has it all.
The subject matter has been categorized as non-fiction, depending on how you take it, it may be fiction for you. Nevertheless, it was a gratifying experience to read all the accounts that the authors have collected and compiled. The stories also point out the differences between the Eastern and Western way of storytelling and what is perceived as horror. You will also get a glimpse into Chinese traditions and culture. I liked that the authors' note at the start of each story. They provide some perspective about the story that is up ahead. This will be really helpful to the readers as they can choose whether they want to read that particular story or not.
Overall, it was a great reading experience for a horror lover.
I must share this with other readers before I delve into the review that I had a little background of the practices and traditions in China before starting this book, and I come from a place where some bizarre things have happened, so I wasn't put off by some of the descriptions that might trigger people. So I should tell you that the book should have come with trigger warnings.
Zhiguai is a Chinese term that roughly translates to "Records of the strange". These are tales that record the strange events that have occurred to people. Zhuangzi, the Chinese Taoist Philosopher coined the term and has recorded some of the earliest zhiguai, known in Chinese literature. Bear in mind that back in 200 to 300 BC, a lot of things were deemed strange, mostly to their being unidentified and unexplored. A lot of modern-day horror stories that have been depicted in films or books have their roots in classical zhiguai. This book is a collection of modern zhiguai. From a grandfather who visited his granddaughter after death, to cats seeking revenge and a grisly murder being solved by the victim who should be dead by every means, this collection has it all.
The subject matter has been categorized as non-fiction, depending on how you take it, it may be fiction for you. Nevertheless, it was a gratifying experience to read all the accounts that the authors have collected and compiled. The stories also point out the differences between the Eastern and Western way of storytelling and what is perceived as horror. You will also get a glimpse into Chinese traditions and culture. I liked that the authors' note at the start of each story. They provide some perspective about the story that is up ahead. This will be really helpful to the readers as they can choose whether they want to read that particular story or not.
Overall, it was a great reading experience for a horror lover.
June 14, 2021
"You don't need millions of reasons to believe somebody exists when you meet them. You just do. There's nothing complicated about it".
Trigger warning: child abuse and animal abuse.
Zhiguai are the 'records of the strange' and span stories that tell of paranormal activity and alternate realities that collide with our own shared by Chinese citizens. The authors curated a wonderful collection of first-hand short stories from a variety of age groups recalling their weird, lived experiences. As an avid horror movie fan, seeing similar tropes from British stories transcend barriers and clearly thrive in Chinese culture too was exhilirating.
The stories were a great way of learning more about Chinese culture, ranging from the value of cats, application of substitutes and fortune telling. I have heard many true life accounts from people similar to 'A jump off the bus', which makes it even more intriguing and emphasises that despite all the differences in the world, People are fundamentally the same. Further, the comparison to Chinese literature favourite Zhuangzi's butterfly parable was glorious, making a link between the complexity of our thoughts and the complexity of the world we live in. Bravo.
'Yeye's' Girl' and 'Not That Brother' were my favourites hands down and left me with goosebumps at the end both. A firm believer of the supernatural, I can imagine the feelings of those who lived the moment and hope everyone else finds the same joy and wonder in these tales.
Thank you for delivering such a wonderful book Yi and John and thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
Trigger warning: child abuse and animal abuse.
Zhiguai are the 'records of the strange' and span stories that tell of paranormal activity and alternate realities that collide with our own shared by Chinese citizens. The authors curated a wonderful collection of first-hand short stories from a variety of age groups recalling their weird, lived experiences. As an avid horror movie fan, seeing similar tropes from British stories transcend barriers and clearly thrive in Chinese culture too was exhilirating.
The stories were a great way of learning more about Chinese culture, ranging from the value of cats, application of substitutes and fortune telling. I have heard many true life accounts from people similar to 'A jump off the bus', which makes it even more intriguing and emphasises that despite all the differences in the world, People are fundamentally the same. Further, the comparison to Chinese literature favourite Zhuangzi's butterfly parable was glorious, making a link between the complexity of our thoughts and the complexity of the world we live in. Bravo.
'Yeye's' Girl' and 'Not That Brother' were my favourites hands down and left me with goosebumps at the end both. A firm believer of the supernatural, I can imagine the feelings of those who lived the moment and hope everyone else finds the same joy and wonder in these tales.
Thank you for delivering such a wonderful book Yi and John and thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
July 7, 2021
Publication Date: 10th July 2021
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an ARC of this book!
"Zhiguai" can be traced back to the Chinese Taoist Philosopher Zhuangzi who used the term to refer to storyteller of the strange or "guai" this came to mean a strangeness rooted in a reality radically beyond the everyday, but claimed to be true by the storyteller.
This book had me completely hooked and finished in a single sitting. The stories collected here are Zhiguai, true tales of strangeness beyond our reality, "glitches in the matrix" . The tales are incredibly creepy but captivating and each one made me want to read on. I have always been interested in "paranormal" or "weird" events as my mother told me a lot about things that happened to her that couldn't be explained and I have had my own strange experiences, so the concept of "Zhiguai" has always been a part of my life although I never had a word for it. As well as this, I have always loved Japanese horror movies and their ability to genuinely terrify compared to American horror movies filled with cheap jump scares The writing is straightforward which adds to the weirdness of the world it creates and a wonderful juxtaposition makes the tales even more uncanny than if they used "literary" language. These tales are the sort that creep into your skin and stay there days, weeks, months, years after you read them, this general uncertainty as they are written as truth. Absolutely incredible author Yi Izzy Yu and translator and editor John Yu Branscum, I absolutely can't wait to read more!
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an ARC of this book!
"Zhiguai" can be traced back to the Chinese Taoist Philosopher Zhuangzi who used the term to refer to storyteller of the strange or "guai" this came to mean a strangeness rooted in a reality radically beyond the everyday, but claimed to be true by the storyteller.
This book had me completely hooked and finished in a single sitting. The stories collected here are Zhiguai, true tales of strangeness beyond our reality, "glitches in the matrix" . The tales are incredibly creepy but captivating and each one made me want to read on. I have always been interested in "paranormal" or "weird" events as my mother told me a lot about things that happened to her that couldn't be explained and I have had my own strange experiences, so the concept of "Zhiguai" has always been a part of my life although I never had a word for it. As well as this, I have always loved Japanese horror movies and their ability to genuinely terrify compared to American horror movies filled with cheap jump scares The writing is straightforward which adds to the weirdness of the world it creates and a wonderful juxtaposition makes the tales even more uncanny than if they used "literary" language. These tales are the sort that creep into your skin and stay there days, weeks, months, years after you read them, this general uncertainty as they are written as truth. Absolutely incredible author Yi Izzy Yu and translator and editor John Yu Branscum, I absolutely can't wait to read more!
June 16, 2021
We all have that one inexplicable story, right? Maybe it didn't happen to you, maybe it's a family legend, but we all know one. Mine is the time – well, I won't go into it now, but trust me, it's strange, alarming and we've never come up with a logical explanation for it.
In the West, we call these stories 'a glitch in the Matrix' after the film, but the stories are not confined to us; everyone, everywhere in the world, experiences these strange events, puzzles and time skips. This collection comes from China and features stories from both the busy, populated cities and the quiet, remote rural areas – proving that these tales are not confined to one type of place or the other.
There's a great mix of stories too; some of them are ghost stories, some are time slips, some are plain old horror, and a few just can't be categorized. I think the one that will stick with me is about the boy who went to an apartment that wasn't quite his uncle's, although the most horrifying by far is the one about the baby girl. You'll know it when you come to it.
If you have a taste for the unexplained, for things that will make you look around suspiciously, for stories that will linger after you've read them...this is your book. Enjoy. I definitely did.
(Quick note on the translation; absolutely perfect, no stiffness or formality and concepts we might not be familiar with are explained without breaking the flow of the stories. Lovely.)
In the West, we call these stories 'a glitch in the Matrix' after the film, but the stories are not confined to us; everyone, everywhere in the world, experiences these strange events, puzzles and time skips. This collection comes from China and features stories from both the busy, populated cities and the quiet, remote rural areas – proving that these tales are not confined to one type of place or the other.
There's a great mix of stories too; some of them are ghost stories, some are time slips, some are plain old horror, and a few just can't be categorized. I think the one that will stick with me is about the boy who went to an apartment that wasn't quite his uncle's, although the most horrifying by far is the one about the baby girl. You'll know it when you come to it.
If you have a taste for the unexplained, for things that will make you look around suspiciously, for stories that will linger after you've read them...this is your book. Enjoy. I definitely did.
(Quick note on the translation; absolutely perfect, no stiffness or formality and concepts we might not be familiar with are explained without breaking the flow of the stories. Lovely.)
July 2, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Empress Wu Books for providing me with a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Zhiguai is a collection of true paranormal stories collected and presented with a short blurb at the beginning of each. These are all fairly short - a few pages maximum - so perfect for when you don’t have much time. They are also deliciously creepy, and worth waiting for a dark night! I also really enjoyed having a look at Chinese beliefs and culture, and how that shapes the way they view the paranormal.
I really appreciated the content warning provided. Two of the stories were quite jarring to read, so I was grateful I was prepared and had the option to skip if I needed to.
This book is perfect for people who like their horror low key and on the paranormal side, and is also a really good entry book into reading about the paranormal.
Zhiguai is a collection of true paranormal stories collected and presented with a short blurb at the beginning of each. These are all fairly short - a few pages maximum - so perfect for when you don’t have much time. They are also deliciously creepy, and worth waiting for a dark night! I also really enjoyed having a look at Chinese beliefs and culture, and how that shapes the way they view the paranormal.
I really appreciated the content warning provided. Two of the stories were quite jarring to read, so I was grateful I was prepared and had the option to skip if I needed to.
This book is perfect for people who like their horror low key and on the paranormal side, and is also a really good entry book into reading about the paranormal.
June 30, 2021
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book through Netgalley.
Tales of weird experiences and high strangeness in China perfect for curling up under blankets & reading with the lights down low. These are the small odd experiences that are hard to explain, such as turning down a city street to suddenly find yourself somewhere that doesn't exist, or being seen by all your friends at a soccer game when you were at home, or being struck by a premonition from out of the blue.
Some content warnings are applicable, and the editors have you covered: there's a list of subjects in the back so that you don't stumble unawares on an upsetting topic.
I hope that these editors publish future collections of this type - it was a very enjoyable read.
Tales of weird experiences and high strangeness in China perfect for curling up under blankets & reading with the lights down low. These are the small odd experiences that are hard to explain, such as turning down a city street to suddenly find yourself somewhere that doesn't exist, or being seen by all your friends at a soccer game when you were at home, or being struck by a premonition from out of the blue.
Some content warnings are applicable, and the editors have you covered: there's a list of subjects in the back so that you don't stumble unawares on an upsetting topic.
I hope that these editors publish future collections of this type - it was a very enjoyable read.
September 16, 2021
4 & 1/2 stars
Deliciously creepy and bizarre.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Chinese superstitions and culture.
Deliciously creepy and bizarre.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Chinese superstitions and culture.
June 22, 2021
Zhiguai means records or writings of strange or supernatural tales and this is exactly what this book is about. There are A LOT of strange tales in this book and I enjoyed all of them! Although these are short and quick tales, they will certainly send chills down your spine.
There are tales about reincarnation, parallel universes, occult murders and many more. "The substitute ghost" was the spookiest one for me.
I feel so nostalgic reading this book! Growing up, one of the many favorite things we like to do with family and friends, was telling and sharing ghost stories! My dad traveled a lot for his work and oh boy, the stories he shared with us haunted us for days!
In a nutshell, this was an enjoyable spooky read! The translation was good and a great book to read if you want to learn more about Chinese customs and beliefs.
TW: alcoholism, death, suicide, infant death, violence, animal cruelty
Pub. Date: July 10th, 2021
**Thank you Empress Wu Books, authors Yi Izzy Yu, John Yu Branscum and NetGalley for this gifted copy to read and review.***
There are tales about reincarnation, parallel universes, occult murders and many more. "The substitute ghost" was the spookiest one for me.
I feel so nostalgic reading this book! Growing up, one of the many favorite things we like to do with family and friends, was telling and sharing ghost stories! My dad traveled a lot for his work and oh boy, the stories he shared with us haunted us for days!
In a nutshell, this was an enjoyable spooky read! The translation was good and a great book to read if you want to learn more about Chinese customs and beliefs.
TW: alcoholism, death, suicide, infant death, violence, animal cruelty
Pub. Date: July 10th, 2021
**Thank you Empress Wu Books, authors Yi Izzy Yu, John Yu Branscum and NetGalley for this gifted copy to read and review.***
May 24, 2022
I loved that all of these entries are first person accounts of strange or scary things that happened to them! It makes me feel like we're all gathered around for a hyakumonogatari kaidankai - 100 ghost stories ritual. It definitely gives off the vibe as if we're all gathered around listening to people tell their stories, with the feeling of strangeness increasing as each storyteller turns off their light. I will say that I found some of the stories better than others, but all were definitely unsettling tales of otherworldliness/"glitches" that the teller swears up and down are true. I love reading and watching anthologies of spooky/strange occurrences, so needless to say I really enjoyed this. And I also enjoyed the little blurbs at the beginning of each entry provided by either Yi Izzy Yu or John Yu Branscum! The presence of the editors in the work giving information and/or talking about how these tales relate to their own experiences, it really helped set the tone for the reader.
I think it's interesting that the book begins by saying that after reading such a book you may experience glitches yourself (also in the same vein as 100 ghost stories that seeks to attract spirits with people's tales). Either you take this simply as a creepy fiction, or you begin to look at your own past experiences/the world around you in a different light. It's cool to see just how many people are out there that have had things happen to them that don't fit inside the rational world that we have built. I even found some to align with my own understanding of the world, such as believing souls of deceased loved ones watch over you. Personally I believe that there are things in this world that will always be beyond our understanding, and that's ok. I've witnessed things that can definitely be considered lucky coincidences, but can also be viewed as some type of intervention that sought to protect, and there's no definitive way to determine which one is "the truth". Even if you don't believe everything written in this book, it gives an interesting perspective on how people experience the world.
I also appreciate that the book contains a paragraph at the beginning telling people that they have content warnings at the back! It's a good practice to be in, especially with stories like this. It's great to tell people at the front that they're there, but have the cw at the back so people who need it can go to it and the people who don't want to see it can easily avoid it. I also enjoyed the interview and discussion questions at the end! They provide insight on things such as the origin of zhiguai, and give the reader tools to really dig into this text and the strange around them. I also have their other translated work, The Shadow Book of Ji Yun and i'm really looking forward to digging into it!
I think it's interesting that the book begins by saying that after reading such a book you may experience glitches yourself (also in the same vein as 100 ghost stories that seeks to attract spirits with people's tales). Either you take this simply as a creepy fiction, or you begin to look at your own past experiences/the world around you in a different light. It's cool to see just how many people are out there that have had things happen to them that don't fit inside the rational world that we have built. I even found some to align with my own understanding of the world, such as believing souls of deceased loved ones watch over you. Personally I believe that there are things in this world that will always be beyond our understanding, and that's ok. I've witnessed things that can definitely be considered lucky coincidences, but can also be viewed as some type of intervention that sought to protect, and there's no definitive way to determine which one is "the truth". Even if you don't believe everything written in this book, it gives an interesting perspective on how people experience the world.
I also appreciate that the book contains a paragraph at the beginning telling people that they have content warnings at the back! It's a good practice to be in, especially with stories like this. It's great to tell people at the front that they're there, but have the cw at the back so people who need it can go to it and the people who don't want to see it can easily avoid it. I also enjoyed the interview and discussion questions at the end! They provide insight on things such as the origin of zhiguai, and give the reader tools to really dig into this text and the strange around them. I also have their other translated work, The Shadow Book of Ji Yun and i'm really looking forward to digging into it!
September 1, 2021
Review coming soon to Kendall Reviews
September 17, 2023
Similar to true crime podcasts but instead these are tales of strange and eerie occurrences. All of them are short but enticing, and you’ll likely find yourself binging one recounting after another.
October 22, 2021
These are wonderful zhiguai stories: true paranormal stories from modern day China. They feature ghosts, precognition, reincarnation, amnesia, disembodied voices, cat spirits, parallel worlds, doppelgängers, inexplicably empty buildings, substitute ghosts, abandoned babies, teleportation, blessed objects, Taoist masters, and other strange phenomena.
Although several of the stories are remarkably short, like flash fiction, others are rich, fully-shaped stories. I loved this collection of 26 stories, but it could have been longer—I wanted more. However, the book includes an excerpt of 3 stories from the superb collection The Shadow Book of Ji Yun, which is also edited and translated by Yi Izzy Yu and John Yu Branscum.
The first story in the collection, "Yeye's Girl" by Ohne Re, is my favorite. It’s a tender story of a young girl haunted by the spirit of her grandfather, or yeye.
Although several of the stories are remarkably short, like flash fiction, others are rich, fully-shaped stories. I loved this collection of 26 stories, but it could have been longer—I wanted more. However, the book includes an excerpt of 3 stories from the superb collection The Shadow Book of Ji Yun, which is also edited and translated by Yi Izzy Yu and John Yu Branscum.
The first story in the collection, "Yeye's Girl" by Ohne Re, is my favorite. It’s a tender story of a young girl haunted by the spirit of her grandfather, or yeye.
July 20, 2021
I only have two gripes with this book: (1) I wish it had been longer and (2) the content warning page, while helpful, was near the end of the book after all the stories! It should be at the front before the stories. There was one particular story where animal abuse was a huge theme and another where a baby is being tortured! Those were very difficult to read. It might be too much for some people. They were borderline for me. Overall, the stories were very good. It's a quick read - you could easily finish it in one rainy afternoon. It's similar to the Kowabana series of Japanese scary stories, if you enjoyed those.
March 21, 2024
(Reviewed on Instagram and NetGalley in June 2021)
Excited to post this review of Zhiguai by Yi Izzy Yu & John Yu Branscum. After some editing due to the addition of a content warning, mentioned below, I give this clever collection of spooky stories a solid 4 out of 5 stars. I'm reading another by the same authors at the mo, and that's already feeling like a strong 5/5!
Overall, I found this to be an interesting quick read with some really spooky tales. With an introduction, a selection of stories from various people, and an interview with detailed responses at the end, it's the sort of book you could pick up and read any part of, or return to your favourites at any time.
Highlights:
A really engaging, beautifully written introduction. It made me feel really excited for the content and intrigued about what unusual stories I was about to discover.
Great cultural info and backstory on "Zhiguai" and the differences between Eastern and Western storytelling and experiences.
A few really unusual stories that made me feel spooked, and wondering about my own past experiences. The first story felt like the highlight of the book for me, and was really touching.
I liked how each story felt like it was authentic to the individual teller and had its own voice. This would be a great book for reading aloud in a group, on Halloween or other ghost themed event!
Elements I liked less:
Two of the stories contained graphic violence. One especially took me by surprise- I nearly stopped reading entirely. A content warning is due to be added to the update.
Some of the stories felt very short, and it felt like there weren't very many of them. It took less than an hour for me to read through the book, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it felt like I was expecting more. Perhaps that shows more that I was enjoying the content, so a positive thing, but I did feel a bit disappointed by some of the stories in the end.
Some of the formatting and imagery didn't work well as a Kindle ebook, with some hard to see.
Excited to post this review of Zhiguai by Yi Izzy Yu & John Yu Branscum. After some editing due to the addition of a content warning, mentioned below, I give this clever collection of spooky stories a solid 4 out of 5 stars. I'm reading another by the same authors at the mo, and that's already feeling like a strong 5/5!
Overall, I found this to be an interesting quick read with some really spooky tales. With an introduction, a selection of stories from various people, and an interview with detailed responses at the end, it's the sort of book you could pick up and read any part of, or return to your favourites at any time.
Highlights:
A really engaging, beautifully written introduction. It made me feel really excited for the content and intrigued about what unusual stories I was about to discover.
Great cultural info and backstory on "Zhiguai" and the differences between Eastern and Western storytelling and experiences.
A few really unusual stories that made me feel spooked, and wondering about my own past experiences. The first story felt like the highlight of the book for me, and was really touching.
I liked how each story felt like it was authentic to the individual teller and had its own voice. This would be a great book for reading aloud in a group, on Halloween or other ghost themed event!
Elements I liked less:
Two of the stories contained graphic violence. One especially took me by surprise- I nearly stopped reading entirely. A content warning is due to be added to the update.
Some of the stories felt very short, and it felt like there weren't very many of them. It took less than an hour for me to read through the book, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it felt like I was expecting more. Perhaps that shows more that I was enjoying the content, so a positive thing, but I did feel a bit disappointed by some of the stories in the end.
Some of the formatting and imagery didn't work well as a Kindle ebook, with some hard to see.
July 9, 2021
Zhiguai are Chinese paranormal tales, and this collection includes many interesting tales. I really appreciated the trigger warnings for each of them, and the supplemental material at the back. I'm excited to read the companion book.
A short preface accompanies each tale, providing cultural context to the story. I found these really helpful, as I'm not incredibly familiar with Chinese cultural traditions, especially those that vary by region.
I loved the discussion of the zhiguai tradition alongside the influence of H.P. Lovecraft. Don't skip this section when you read the book.
The collection is greta for folklore fans and people who love paranormal tv shows and stories. It's short and easy to read in snippets, so it would be good for people who don't have a lot of time to commit to reading, but like to read. I think it would be really good if you read on a commute.
A short preface accompanies each tale, providing cultural context to the story. I found these really helpful, as I'm not incredibly familiar with Chinese cultural traditions, especially those that vary by region.
I loved the discussion of the zhiguai tradition alongside the influence of H.P. Lovecraft. Don't skip this section when you read the book.
The collection is greta for folklore fans and people who love paranormal tv shows and stories. It's short and easy to read in snippets, so it would be good for people who don't have a lot of time to commit to reading, but like to read. I think it would be really good if you read on a commute.
May 25, 2024
Read the TWs in the back of the book.
I really enjoyed this book of Chinese translated stories of the strange and paranormal.
I’m always amazed at how similar and different cultures are. I love finding out more about each one but especially cultural experiences of the paranormal.
I’ve always been drawn to this topic and as long as there are people that are willing to tell their tales… I’ll listen.
I’m not sure how I exactly feel about paranormal experiences although, I’ve had a few myself, I try to stay objective. I do believe the people who tell them.
This book complies stories of all different supernatural occurrences. Be prepared to find eerie tales that we also share in Western culture but, the most amazing stories for me personally were the, tales that are completely different to Western culture are included too. Whether in ways of culture or perspective, the stories made me feel all types of emotions.
If you’re looking for a read that is at the very least entertaining, whether you believe the tales or not, and you’re interested in this topic… you’ve found it.
I like to think that we should keep our minds open (but not so open all our knowledge spills out) but never too closed (that new information can’t get inside).
I really enjoyed this book of Chinese translated stories of the strange and paranormal.
I’m always amazed at how similar and different cultures are. I love finding out more about each one but especially cultural experiences of the paranormal.
I’ve always been drawn to this topic and as long as there are people that are willing to tell their tales… I’ll listen.
I’m not sure how I exactly feel about paranormal experiences although, I’ve had a few myself, I try to stay objective. I do believe the people who tell them.
This book complies stories of all different supernatural occurrences. Be prepared to find eerie tales that we also share in Western culture but, the most amazing stories for me personally were the, tales that are completely different to Western culture are included too. Whether in ways of culture or perspective, the stories made me feel all types of emotions.
If you’re looking for a read that is at the very least entertaining, whether you believe the tales or not, and you’re interested in this topic… you’ve found it.
I like to think that we should keep our minds open (but not so open all our knowledge spills out) but never too closed (that new information can’t get inside).
September 22, 2021
This is an interesting collection of translations of Chinese “true” supernatural and glitch in the matrix type stories, the kind that you might find on various Reddit threads or true ghost story sites. Here, however, these are well curated and translated so that the book only contains the most interesting of stories, stories that those of us without an understanding of the Chinese language might otherwise miss out on.
While all the stories are interesting, most aren’t particularly scary, spooky maybe and weird definitely, but not terribly scary (this is not a complaint, strictly an observation). The last one, however, “Third Uncle’s Apartment is Not His Apartment,” was genuinely chilling and my favorite in the collection. All the stories are worth reading though.
While all the stories are interesting, most aren’t particularly scary, spooky maybe and weird definitely, but not terribly scary (this is not a complaint, strictly an observation). The last one, however, “Third Uncle’s Apartment is Not His Apartment,” was genuinely chilling and my favorite in the collection. All the stories are worth reading though.
August 4, 2025
Yi Izzy Yu and John Yu Branscum are the power team of editors and translators who brought to life one of my favorite collections, The Shadow Book of Ji Yun, a wondrous curation of weird little Chinese tales—also known as zhiguai—which were collected by the eighteenth century Chinese writer (as well as Imperial Librarian, Special Advisor to the Emperor, Head of the Department of War, and holder of other grand titles) Ji Yun. And so, I was delighted to get my hands on this power team’s follow-up of a collection of modern weird/horror stories from China—in other words, modern zhiguai.
Like Ji Yun’s tales from eighteenth century China, the tales of Zhiguai are all presented as true. In their introductory essay, the editors describe these tales as “glitch-in-the-matrix” stories, stories that “mean any personal experiences that makes us question the nature of reality or our ability to know it.” In this book are tales of doppelgangers, ghosts, averted disasters, and objects that seem to leap through time. Most haunting are the tales in which narrators seem to slip briefly into parallel worlds, worlds just like our own but ever so slightly “off.” Or, in some cases, “off” in far more shocking and frightening ways. Though very different in setting and content from Ji Yun’s zhiguai, there is nevertheless a discernible line connecting them. As the editors note, the stories in both books are ones that seem to question, unsettle, and undermine reality itself. Each story in Zhiguai is prefaced with a brief introduction that provides cultural context or other commentary. For me, the glimpses of ordinary life in modern China—alongside these eerie little tales undermining that ordinary life—were also a great part of this eerie little book’s appeal. A wonderfully disconcerting book of odd tales.
Like Ji Yun’s tales from eighteenth century China, the tales of Zhiguai are all presented as true. In their introductory essay, the editors describe these tales as “glitch-in-the-matrix” stories, stories that “mean any personal experiences that makes us question the nature of reality or our ability to know it.” In this book are tales of doppelgangers, ghosts, averted disasters, and objects that seem to leap through time. Most haunting are the tales in which narrators seem to slip briefly into parallel worlds, worlds just like our own but ever so slightly “off.” Or, in some cases, “off” in far more shocking and frightening ways. Though very different in setting and content from Ji Yun’s zhiguai, there is nevertheless a discernible line connecting them. As the editors note, the stories in both books are ones that seem to question, unsettle, and undermine reality itself. Each story in Zhiguai is prefaced with a brief introduction that provides cultural context or other commentary. For me, the glimpses of ordinary life in modern China—alongside these eerie little tales undermining that ordinary life—were also a great part of this eerie little book’s appeal. A wonderfully disconcerting book of odd tales.
May 8, 2024
Zhiguai stories:
•Yeye’s girl- 4 / 5 really cute story that highlights the bonds we have that can sometimes go beyond this world. Relatable since I have had many dreams in which I believe my father is trying to tell me something
•A jump off the bus 3/5
•Not that brother 4 / 5 felt like the family’s heart got broken all over again
•A student visits the future 3 / 5
•Twin demon 3/ 5
•The king of cats (content warning: animal abuse) I am too biased to properly rate this story
•Fifty meters 3 / 5
•The reserve player 2.5 / 5
•Light switch 2 /5
•Pencil box 2 /5
•The second person in the boat 2.5 / 5
•The bird’s nod 2 /5
•The substitute 3.5 / 5
•Time stops under my feet 2 /5
•Peach wood 4/ 5 so heartbreaking 💔
•The slow race 3 /5 not scary but eerie
•Ballpoint pen 3.5 / 5
•White light man 2 /5
•Mirror mirror 3 /5
•A lucky wind 3.5/ 5
•ID 3/ 5
•The invitation 3/ 5
•Future candy tin 2.5/ 5
•Third uncles apartment is not his apartment 4.5/ 5 probably my favorite!
Zhiguai （志怪）are record of the strange and unexplainable. Most of these stories were translated from the original Chinese and thus gave us an insight to phenomena particular to Chinese culture. This was supplemented by the introduction to each story in which one of the authors gave the audience background information about the phenomenon that occurred in the story. These are meant to be treated as nonfiction experiences. Some of these stories were heartbreaking, some were eerie, and some were even unnerving. Although I must admit that some were a little disappointing. I enjoyed this collection a lot and would definitely recommend it.
•Yeye’s girl- 4 / 5 really cute story that highlights the bonds we have that can sometimes go beyond this world. Relatable since I have had many dreams in which I believe my father is trying to tell me something
•A jump off the bus 3/5
•Not that brother 4 / 5 felt like the family’s heart got broken all over again
•A student visits the future 3 / 5
•Twin demon 3/ 5
•The king of cats (content warning: animal abuse) I am too biased to properly rate this story
•Fifty meters 3 / 5
•The reserve player 2.5 / 5
•Light switch 2 /5
•Pencil box 2 /5
•The second person in the boat 2.5 / 5
•The bird’s nod 2 /5
•The substitute 3.5 / 5
•Time stops under my feet 2 /5
•Peach wood 4/ 5 so heartbreaking 💔
•The slow race 3 /5 not scary but eerie
•Ballpoint pen 3.5 / 5
•White light man 2 /5
•Mirror mirror 3 /5
•A lucky wind 3.5/ 5
•ID 3/ 5
•The invitation 3/ 5
•Future candy tin 2.5/ 5
•Third uncles apartment is not his apartment 4.5/ 5 probably my favorite!
Zhiguai （志怪）are record of the strange and unexplainable. Most of these stories were translated from the original Chinese and thus gave us an insight to phenomena particular to Chinese culture. This was supplemented by the introduction to each story in which one of the authors gave the audience background information about the phenomenon that occurred in the story. These are meant to be treated as nonfiction experiences. Some of these stories were heartbreaking, some were eerie, and some were even unnerving. Although I must admit that some were a little disappointing. I enjoyed this collection a lot and would definitely recommend it.
July 1, 2021
Zhiguai: Chinese True Tales of the Paranormal and Glitches in the Matrix
[Blurb Goes Here]
I was a bit disappointed by this book. While the tales are interesting and unusual, the introduction by the authors to each story, was completely unnecessary for me. The book is short, the stories themselves are short and the introductions seems to be filling to make the book a bit longer.
I honestly don't care about the length of a book. I care about enjoying its contents. I did enjoy the tales, even when some had little to no substance. What makes them enjoyable is that they are different from what I'm used to read.
I recommend this book to people wanting to read legends from the far east.
Thank you for the advanced copy!
[Blurb Goes Here]
I was a bit disappointed by this book. While the tales are interesting and unusual, the introduction by the authors to each story, was completely unnecessary for me. The book is short, the stories themselves are short and the introductions seems to be filling to make the book a bit longer.
I honestly don't care about the length of a book. I care about enjoying its contents. I did enjoy the tales, even when some had little to no substance. What makes them enjoyable is that they are different from what I'm used to read.
I recommend this book to people wanting to read legends from the far east.
Thank you for the advanced copy!
July 17, 2023
An fantastic collection of tales and accounts of the strange and super natural in contemporary China.
January 21, 2024
oh this was great fun! Like a curated r/glitchinthematrix , and r/paranormal. But all experienced by people from China!
April 11, 2024
I’ve had this book sitting on my digital shelf for some time, not sure if I was ready to read it. It seemed a little creepy and eerie, from both the cover and the title; however, I think the stories are more on the eerie side and not so terrifying. I really enjoyed the book, though, and appreciated some of the odd, uncanny, and bizarre stories that were a part of this collection. The tales are mostly recounted by the authors from others. This narrative style provided a kind of authenticity that made the book a little more eerie and uncanny. I really liked that the book provides a kind of different cultural perspective on these strange events, superstitions and beliefs. The stories were easy to read, and there’s enough context to understand and learn about some of the cultural differences. This also made me want to read some of the other writings and translations form Yi Izzy Yu to see what other kind of strange stories are out there. This wasn’t a really scary collection, but it was pretty strange.
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