What do you think?
Rate this book
By Cheng'en Wu The Monkey King's Amazing Adventures: A Journey to the West in Search of Enlightenment Paperback - May 2012
This classic Chinese epic features a new introduction by Daniel Kane, Head of Chinese Studies at Macquarie University and Cultural Counselor at the Australian Embassy in Beijing in 1996.China's most famous traditional novel, The Monkey King's Amazing Adventures is the story of the Monkey King, his incredible origin and downfall, and his epic quest to redeem himself with his trusted companions, as they face fantastic foes, demons, and monsters and have amazing adventures in their travels to the Western paradise.No matter what obstacle was put before him, the talented, wily Monkey King always got what he wanted—unimaginable strength, eternal life, even a position in the Celestial Realm with the gods. But more than anything else, the Monkey King loved mischief and rule-breaking, and he was sure that he was the most powerful creature in the world.But after defeat and punishment, the Monkey King found himself wanting some things he never to be good enough and have the discipline to help the monk Xuanzang on his mission to bring Buddhist Scriptures—and enlightenment—to China.Readers will thrill to Timothy Richard's retelling of the Monkey King's exploits—he never disappoints, whether in the Dragon King's underwater castle, the Halls of the Dead, or the palace of Buddha himself—and find themselves captivated as he joins Xuanzang and his other trusted companions, the Dragon Horse, the Monk Sand, and the equally mischievous Pig on the dangerous trek West.
Paperback
151 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 10, 2021
A popular ancient Chinese tale, retold by Timothy Richard, a Baptist missionary who travelled to China in 1868.
"Journey to the West" is the story of the Monkey King and his travelling companions who have the mission to go to India to bring back the original Buddhist Scriptures. The journey takes them fourteen years. They have to overcome fantastic monsters, demons, dragons, robbers and witches, rich in imagination.
The language and vocabulary are simple and plain and even though I am usually a great fan of fantastic stories, this one left me disappointed.
It may be interesting for scholars in Chinese folklore and the history of Buddhism.
"Journey to the West" is the story of the Monkey King and his travelling companions who have the mission to go to India to bring back the original Buddhist Scriptures. The journey takes them fourteen years. They have to overcome fantastic monsters, demons, dragons, robbers and witches, rich in imagination.
The language and vocabulary are simple and plain and even though I am usually a great fan of fantastic stories, this one left me disappointed.
It may be interesting for scholars in Chinese folklore and the history of Buddhism.
April 10, 2016
Readable introduction to one of the four Chinese literary epics. This one has an interesting preface and serves to give the reader a summarised version of events encountered by the group of protagonists.
What it doesn't do is capture the mystic charm of the original text (which admittedly is less accessible to English or casual Mandarin readers), or expound upon the profundity of the journey in its parts. A lot of the scenes ended almost as abruptly as they began and left me with questions hanging by the tip of my tongue.
It was 'Sun the Great Sage did this. Then the Master did that. Then such and such happened. Kthxbai.' almost on a loop. The poems were quite skillfully translated though , I must say.
Well it's the Year of the Monkey after all, and reading this made me reminisce about the fun TV adaptations I've watched in my childhood. Also what initially piqued my interest was my involvement in translating a mobile game loosely based on the story. Maybe I'll check out more versions or muster up the grit to actually read the original (I merely skimmed the beginning chapters before resting; to say it's overwhelming in its meaning is an understatement)
Happy Year of Monkey everyone!
What it doesn't do is capture the mystic charm of the original text (which admittedly is less accessible to English or casual Mandarin readers), or expound upon the profundity of the journey in its parts. A lot of the scenes ended almost as abruptly as they began and left me with questions hanging by the tip of my tongue.
It was 'Sun the Great Sage did this. Then the Master did that. Then such and such happened. Kthxbai.' almost on a loop. The poems were quite skillfully translated though , I must say.
Well it's the Year of the Monkey after all, and reading this made me reminisce about the fun TV adaptations I've watched in my childhood. Also what initially piqued my interest was my involvement in translating a mobile game loosely based on the story. Maybe I'll check out more versions or muster up the grit to actually read the original (I merely skimmed the beginning chapters before resting; to say it's overwhelming in its meaning is an understatement)
Happy Year of Monkey everyone!
July 8, 2013
Fans of the fantastic 'Monkey Magic' series might enjoy reading this early English translation of the classic Chinese folk tale -- one based on historical fact.
This particular translation is prefaced by a very interesting essay about the translator, a Christian missionary who found (and thus inserted) various Christian messianic themes into the story.
Sadly, this translation has practically no characterisation; it is told as a series of events with very little drama or descriptive language.
Very interesting if you're hoping to get closer to the source material, disappointing if you want the fun and drama of good storytelling.
This particular translation is prefaced by a very interesting essay about the translator, a Christian missionary who found (and thus inserted) various Christian messianic themes into the story.
Sadly, this translation has practically no characterisation; it is told as a series of events with very little drama or descriptive language.
Very interesting if you're hoping to get closer to the source material, disappointing if you want the fun and drama of good storytelling.
February 10, 2022
Man, can I say, I'm proud of myself for finishing this one and it took a lot of grit to get through it. I have wanted to read Journey to the West for a long time since I really liked Stephen Chow's Journey to the West, and there are references to this classic Chinese novel in countless movies and tv shows. The actual scholarly translation is about 1800 pages, but this translation, the only one available at my local library, is only 250 pages long. Even still, it was hard to get through. It was exactly like watching an anime with a lot of hype that starts really strong, totally lags and loses direction in the middle, and ends okay. There were a few funny moments to keep me going, but most of the actual journey part of the book was pretty hard to follow and not very entertaining. Still, now I can better appreciate the references for the rest of my life, so I'm glad I read it!
October 1, 2020
Recently, I have been thinking about the folklores that are told in Western society. I wonder if I should feel guilty for being able to recognize instances where Greek and Roman mythology have been remixed, but not recognizing tokens of the stories that I look like I should know.
For my senior thesis, I wrote a poem about Sun Wukong, using the fraction of the story I was familiar with. Perhaps I should revisit it and see what I would change now that I’ve had the chance to read more about the journey. I’m aware that this translation is only the bare bones of Sun and Co.’s westward trek for enlightenment, but it’s enough to bait the creative in my brain to crack open its lazy eyes. At the very least, this book has provided me with concepts and word banks that are just asking to be included in poems!
Mainly, what I’ve been thinking about is how we’re prone to see ourselves as heroes. Obviously, we’re living in first-person. We sidle up to the protagonist (the good guys!); we recognize the injustices we face.
I think it’s interesting that Sun Wukong is this heroic figure of sorts. He’s super-duper immortal, jumps on clouds, beats everything into submission, shapeshifts, and out pranks and outwits just about everyone he meets. And yet he is arrogant, narcissistic, and primitive in his inability to truly take the form of others, entirely incapable of grasping the effect his actions have on those he comes across. His band of monkeys suffers for years while Sun is seeking new pleasures. Any attempt to teach him a lesson is viewed as an inconceivable injustice against the Monkey King, and his retaliation is exaggerated to unholy degrees. Everyone in Heaven and everyone under Heaven is tormented by Sun, and yet he complains of being victimized. I’m trying to think about what this means I should do for the world, for others. When I think of an elixir, panacea, or sacred scroll to dispel evil, what is it the future I imagine?
For my senior thesis, I wrote a poem about Sun Wukong, using the fraction of the story I was familiar with. Perhaps I should revisit it and see what I would change now that I’ve had the chance to read more about the journey. I’m aware that this translation is only the bare bones of Sun and Co.’s westward trek for enlightenment, but it’s enough to bait the creative in my brain to crack open its lazy eyes. At the very least, this book has provided me with concepts and word banks that are just asking to be included in poems!
Mainly, what I’ve been thinking about is how we’re prone to see ourselves as heroes. Obviously, we’re living in first-person. We sidle up to the protagonist (the good guys!); we recognize the injustices we face.
I think it’s interesting that Sun Wukong is this heroic figure of sorts. He’s super-duper immortal, jumps on clouds, beats everything into submission, shapeshifts, and out pranks and outwits just about everyone he meets. And yet he is arrogant, narcissistic, and primitive in his inability to truly take the form of others, entirely incapable of grasping the effect his actions have on those he comes across. His band of monkeys suffers for years while Sun is seeking new pleasures. Any attempt to teach him a lesson is viewed as an inconceivable injustice against the Monkey King, and his retaliation is exaggerated to unholy degrees. Everyone in Heaven and everyone under Heaven is tormented by Sun, and yet he complains of being victimized. I’m trying to think about what this means I should do for the world, for others. When I think of an elixir, panacea, or sacred scroll to dispel evil, what is it the future I imagine?
July 13, 2012
The journey to the west is based on the true story of a Chinese monk who traveled from china to India in the time around 640 AD. The novel itself was written in the 1600s and is part adventure yarn, comedy, allegory and paen to monkeys. In terms of fictional merit it is hard to tell as reading an abridged translated version kind of grinds much of what must have appealed out of the book. The start is interesting but, it then descends into an endless repetition of Master gets captured by demons usually as a consequence of Monkeys rashness, monkey fights demons to a tie and then gets celestial help wins fight and starts all over again.
As an insight, albeit distorted, of another culture and time it is fascinating, especially the rigid hierarchies and status obsession of the gods under the Jade emperor. On a side note it (sadly) bears little similarity despite being the base of the Japanese TV show Monkey beloved by all who were under the influence when I was a student.
As an insight, albeit distorted, of another culture and time it is fascinating, especially the rigid hierarchies and status obsession of the gods under the Jade emperor. On a side note it (sadly) bears little similarity despite being the base of the Japanese TV show Monkey beloved by all who were under the influence when I was a student.
June 13, 2014
Read this as part of my book club.
It was enjoyable and a lot easier to read than I originally anticipated, however I think a lot of its appeal has been lost in translation.
First half of the book was quite mesmerising, however, by the time I got two-thirds way, it became the same story told over and over again: Monkey is travelling, Monkey and companions get attacked by a demon, Monkey fights with demon, Monkey goes to heaven to ask for help in conquering demon, Monkey saves the day. And repeat. Again and again.
Despite the repetition and the lack of description, I did enjoy this book but it certainly won't appeal to everyone.
It was enjoyable and a lot easier to read than I originally anticipated, however I think a lot of its appeal has been lost in translation.
First half of the book was quite mesmerising, however, by the time I got two-thirds way, it became the same story told over and over again: Monkey is travelling, Monkey and companions get attacked by a demon, Monkey fights with demon, Monkey goes to heaven to ask for help in conquering demon, Monkey saves the day. And repeat. Again and again.
Despite the repetition and the lack of description, I did enjoy this book but it certainly won't appeal to everyone.
Read
February 3, 2011I finished it, Holly you can borrow it now if you want. It's not very long at all.
Sorry, I was looking for it the other day and I remembered I loaned it to Bob. You see him more than me, you should ask him about it.
Sorry, I was looking for it the other day and I remembered I loaned it to Bob. You see him more than me, you should ask him about it.
November 10, 2013
I love the Monkey King stories - but either this translation is super dull, or I'm missing something. Can anyone suggest a better translation?
December 25, 2021
Immortals, witches, demons, disciples, Gods, saints, sinners, fairies, tortoises, pigs, monkeys, horses, bears, mountains, lakes, rivers, pilgrims, holy books, scriptures, Buddhists, Taoists, Confucians, Buddhas, saviors, Emperors, Kings, Queens, spells, chants, transformers, shape shifters, magicians, generals, dragons, heaven, hell, judges, palaces, sages, spirits, caves, thieves, poison, gates, gardens, clouds, rain, drought, scholars, libraries, fights, massacres, death, hair, magic fans, monks, thunder, blind men, ancients, beheadings, murders, peaches, wizards, masters, fights, quarrels, wine, attacks, forgiveness, advisers, cannibalism, secrets, register of life and death, officials, lords, gatekeepers, bodyguards, spears, swords, priests, robes, etc, etc, etc.
That about sums it up. Mix it up, repeat, mix it up repeat. This ancient text reads like a modern movie based on comic book super heroes. They get into perilous situations where there's no hope only to be saved time and time again. The only constant is they survive. The most surprising piece of this is the repeated times when the demons threatened to eat the pilgrims with the aim of thereby achieving immortality. The pilgrims are supposed to be loosely bases on a real expedition crossing Asia seeking Sacred Scriptures. This tale has been repeated over and over and probably has morphed greatly. This is one book of four. My guess is the rest is more mix it up repeat and repeat. I'll pass. I also don't look forward to the next super hero movie. But if you like those you may want to see where this all "started".
That about sums it up. Mix it up, repeat, mix it up repeat. This ancient text reads like a modern movie based on comic book super heroes. They get into perilous situations where there's no hope only to be saved time and time again. The only constant is they survive. The most surprising piece of this is the repeated times when the demons threatened to eat the pilgrims with the aim of thereby achieving immortality. The pilgrims are supposed to be loosely bases on a real expedition crossing Asia seeking Sacred Scriptures. This tale has been repeated over and over and probably has morphed greatly. This is one book of four. My guess is the rest is more mix it up repeat and repeat. I'll pass. I also don't look forward to the next super hero movie. But if you like those you may want to see where this all "started".
May 21, 2023
Apparently this one has a lot of negative reviews, but it's not a typical novel. It's a translated summary of mythology, which I found quite fascinating. I was first introduced to the Monkey King as a mythological figure after watching The Forbidden Kingdom, and then I started to learn more when studying literature. I've been particularly interested in Asian literature lately, and it's fascinating to see how intertwined so many cultures and religions have been throughout the centuries. This story helped give me a better glimpse into a portion of one of them, particularly how Buddhism came to China from India.
September 5, 2024
DNF at 53%. This book is poorly written and translated. The story was reduced to a fraction of the length of the original work. The writing is terrible and story disjointed and badly arranged. Chapter to chapter does not link at all. Sadly a good tale was destroyed here.
October 19, 2021
2.75 understanding the context of this translation I don't think I have gotten a real good capturing of this story
March 12, 2024
An abridged version of the original story; great as a introductory text for casual reading. Really wanna read the original story now though :,))
May 29, 2021
Magical. Crazy. Superb.
This is a compelling tale which I enjoyed immensely. The version I read was an abridged volume which meant some of the passages and adventures that will be detailed in the 'full' version were reduced to simple sentences. This means some of the narrative arc is simplistic and, at times, this can become repetitive.
This criticism is much more on my laziness in not reading the longer text rather than on any fault of this edition. As the story progressed the meaning of the quest became more interesting and, allegorically, I began to see the different facets of human nature in the three disciples and the immense skill of the master in resisting and marshaling these traits.
This meaning transcends the simple story of the 'journey to the west' and brings additional meaning and a profundity to the tale.
Thoroughly enjoyable and very personal. This is a story that will stay with me and, should I read again, I am sure it will take on new meaning at whatever age it is read. one of *those* great works of literature...
This is a compelling tale which I enjoyed immensely. The version I read was an abridged volume which meant some of the passages and adventures that will be detailed in the 'full' version were reduced to simple sentences. This means some of the narrative arc is simplistic and, at times, this can become repetitive.
This criticism is much more on my laziness in not reading the longer text rather than on any fault of this edition. As the story progressed the meaning of the quest became more interesting and, allegorically, I began to see the different facets of human nature in the three disciples and the immense skill of the master in resisting and marshaling these traits.
This meaning transcends the simple story of the 'journey to the west' and brings additional meaning and a profundity to the tale.
Thoroughly enjoyable and very personal. This is a story that will stay with me and, should I read again, I am sure it will take on new meaning at whatever age it is read. one of *those* great works of literature...
December 10, 2011
As much as I would have liked to enjoy the classic tale of the Monkey King upsetting the Heavenly Court and later on following the Great Sage on his quest for recovering Buddhist scrolls of Wisdom for the benefit of the Chinese people, even its pedigree can't hide the fact that the story is absolutely ludicrous and fails miserably in its attempts to suspend any disbelief. I'm not sure how much the translation to English and further abridging of the original story are to blame, but this volume is a chaotic and confusing read, the temporal aspects are completely lost and the display of events is tiresome.
Our noble heroes travel by land from China to India over many seasons and through great deserts and forbidding mountain regions, yet the Monkey King may suddenly choose to jump on a cloud and visit his old home on another continent or go for a swing to Heaven and back, while the rest of the story freezes. The narrative goes something like "Then they walked 10 000 li. Then they came to a desert. They walked in the desert and they got very tired. Then they saw a child. But the Child was really a demon and it snatched the master away." Another irritating aspect is how one character will give a longwinded description of something, and then another character will repeat the exact same statement, this goes on for a fair amount of pages and is really tiring. When things do heat up a little and the scene is set for a great showdown between our protagonists and some hideous Demon King it is usually resolved something like "The Monkey King attacked the Demon King and his 82 little demons and slew them all." Oooh, the excitement...
Our noble heroes travel by land from China to India over many seasons and through great deserts and forbidding mountain regions, yet the Monkey King may suddenly choose to jump on a cloud and visit his old home on another continent or go for a swing to Heaven and back, while the rest of the story freezes. The narrative goes something like "Then they walked 10 000 li. Then they came to a desert. They walked in the desert and they got very tired. Then they saw a child. But the Child was really a demon and it snatched the master away." Another irritating aspect is how one character will give a longwinded description of something, and then another character will repeat the exact same statement, this goes on for a fair amount of pages and is really tiring. When things do heat up a little and the scene is set for a great showdown between our protagonists and some hideous Demon King it is usually resolved something like "The Monkey King attacked the Demon King and his 82 little demons and slew them all." Oooh, the excitement...
August 25, 2020
I had a like-dislike relationship with this book (yeah, I chose those words because love and hate are too strong for what I felt).
I know this is a story that has been translated several times. I know it was inspired from true events that happened hundreds of years ago. I know it is fictionalized (I'll dig deep into that below). That doesn't mean I need to give in to everything that happens.
I partially enjoyed the first part of the book, which recalls how the Monkey came to be in the monk's journey. Why partially? The main character is not likable at all. Not to me. But okay. Then it got way too repetitive for me:
1. Walk some-odd-number-of-li,
2. Encounter trouble and evil,
3. Use each and every power you can imagine,
4. Succeed,
5. Start over.
This is fantasy at its best. Seriously, though. Toruble? No problem. I can take any possible shape, jump any height, ask anyone for help, use any weapon, even die and come back to life again! Yes, yes, I know we're talking about immortals, but still.
Moreover, all the occasional characters were more interesting than the secondary characters, who are pure decoration. The monk is supposed to be the main character whose journey the readers should follow, yet the story is always going back to the Monkey. A bit misleading even when the title suggests it's the Monkey's amazing adventures.
Rant aside, I did enjoy the overflowing fantasy. My mind pictured the most beautiful places. I learnt about forgiveness and kindness.
Fair beginning and ending. I got stuck in the middle and it took me a while to read.
I know this is a story that has been translated several times. I know it was inspired from true events that happened hundreds of years ago. I know it is fictionalized (I'll dig deep into that below). That doesn't mean I need to give in to everything that happens.
I partially enjoyed the first part of the book, which recalls how the Monkey came to be in the monk's journey. Why partially? The main character is not likable at all. Not to me. But okay. Then it got way too repetitive for me:
1. Walk some-odd-number-of-li,
2. Encounter trouble and evil,
3. Use each and every power you can imagine,
4. Succeed,
5. Start over.
This is fantasy at its best. Seriously, though. Toruble? No problem. I can take any possible shape, jump any height, ask anyone for help, use any weapon, even die and come back to life again! Yes, yes, I know we're talking about immortals, but still.
Moreover, all the occasional characters were more interesting than the secondary characters, who are pure decoration. The monk is supposed to be the main character whose journey the readers should follow, yet the story is always going back to the Monkey. A bit misleading even when the title suggests it's the Monkey's amazing adventures.
Rant aside, I did enjoy the overflowing fantasy. My mind pictured the most beautiful places. I learnt about forgiveness and kindness.
Fair beginning and ending. I got stuck in the middle and it took me a while to read.
July 11, 2019
The Monkey King's Amazing Adventures: A Journey to the West in Search of Enlightenment.
The Monkey King's Amazing Adventures, also know as A Journey to the West is based on a true story of a Buddhist monk Xuanzang and his pilgrimage to India to acquire the ‘true scriptures’. After his return to China he wrote a detailed geographical description of the lands he had passed through. This book was called ‘Record of the Western Regions’ in Chinese ‘Xiyouji’. On some accounts this record was very accurate, for instance in the description of the huge Buddha statues in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, which were blown up by the Taliban in 2001.
The novel ‘The Monkey King's Amazing Adventures’ is a fictional account of the legend that had grown up around Xuanzang’s travels. This translation by Timothy Richard dates back to 1913 and is just one in a long row of translations and adaptions which goes on to the present date in movies and popular tv series. One of the latest I saw was ‘The forbidden Kingdom’ in which a young American travels back to the time of the stone monkey. In the meanwhile he learns Kungfu, to know himself and that he loves the girl next door. Read all about it!
The Monkey King's Amazing Adventures, also know as A Journey to the West is based on a true story of a Buddhist monk Xuanzang and his pilgrimage to India to acquire the ‘true scriptures’. After his return to China he wrote a detailed geographical description of the lands he had passed through. This book was called ‘Record of the Western Regions’ in Chinese ‘Xiyouji’. On some accounts this record was very accurate, for instance in the description of the huge Buddha statues in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, which were blown up by the Taliban in 2001.
The novel ‘The Monkey King's Amazing Adventures’ is a fictional account of the legend that had grown up around Xuanzang’s travels. This translation by Timothy Richard dates back to 1913 and is just one in a long row of translations and adaptions which goes on to the present date in movies and popular tv series. One of the latest I saw was ‘The forbidden Kingdom’ in which a young American travels back to the time of the stone monkey. In the meanwhile he learns Kungfu, to know himself and that he loves the girl next door. Read all about it!
June 30, 2021
Repetitive and not well paced, but comprehensive I guess.
February 27, 2014
Apparently, China is big on the power of Monkeys. This is a collection of myths surrounding a mischievous monkey named, Sun, and how he first wrecks havoc on Heaven, Hell, and Earth and then becomes a guardian to a monk on his quest to bring back the holy Buddhist scriptures.
It's interesting to see how Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism all played a role in the development of Chinese spirituality. The myths are full of people transforming into different sizes and animals and "Fighting 30 bouts" with evil demons. There seems to be a fascination with numbers, too: "in all they number 35 works and 15,144 books: (p.209) I found it very odd that they come up with so specific numbers for things. I mean why, 15,144 books, why not 15,000?
In any event, the book is a tad tough to read because not only is it translated from a very different culture, it's also such an old set of stories. I picked it up because I've been interested in learning about the history of buddhism, not just the spiritual tenants. While it was interesting, it failed to really capture my attention.
It's interesting to see how Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism all played a role in the development of Chinese spirituality. The myths are full of people transforming into different sizes and animals and "Fighting 30 bouts" with evil demons. There seems to be a fascination with numbers, too: "in all they number 35 works and 15,144 books: (p.209) I found it very odd that they come up with so specific numbers for things. I mean why, 15,144 books, why not 15,000?
In any event, the book is a tad tough to read because not only is it translated from a very different culture, it's also such an old set of stories. I picked it up because I've been interested in learning about the history of buddhism, not just the spiritual tenants. While it was interesting, it failed to really capture my attention.
December 25, 2018
The first 11 chapters of the book , on the creation of the Monkey King, the chaos he creates in Heaven, his punishment and release to accompany the monk Xuanzhang are worth reading, as is the last chapter when they complete their quest. The chapters in between however, are very concise summaries of the stories mashed together, with much was lost in translation. This results in what seems like very contrived plot devices with fights starting and ending within 3 sentences. Nonetheless, does give some flavor of the trials they went through in the original text. Can't help but feel the monk is a bit of a fool who would have failed without the Monkey King. Recommended as an introduction to the Monkey King only.
Read
December 11, 20181. Awards: None
2. Age Appropriateness: 11 years old and up
3. Summary: This is the story of the Monkey King, where he comes from, his downfall and how he tries to get his throne back. What adventures can the Monkey King go through and what will he learn?
4. Review: Great story about what the Monkey King goes through and learns as he tries to gain his community's trust again.
5. Uses in a classroom: This book can be used in a lesson about Chinese culture. This book can also be used in a lesson about community.
2. Age Appropriateness: 11 years old and up
3. Summary: This is the story of the Monkey King, where he comes from, his downfall and how he tries to get his throne back. What adventures can the Monkey King go through and what will he learn?
4. Review: Great story about what the Monkey King goes through and learns as he tries to gain his community's trust again.
5. Uses in a classroom: This book can be used in a lesson about Chinese culture. This book can also be used in a lesson about community.
November 11, 2011
And all this time I thought this is a book about a mischievous monkey.... I felt soooooo stupid. Well, I will blame this on the 遊 character, which I always perceive as "go out to play and have a good time".
Well, what can I say except for that there is this monkey inside me that also need taming. Really badly. 悟净,悟能,悟空 guided by an obedient spirit. Along the road on our journey, all the way through the end.
Well, what can I say except for that there is this monkey inside me that also need taming. Really badly. 悟净,悟能,悟空 guided by an obedient spirit. Along the road on our journey, all the way through the end.
February 11, 2012
The translation of the story I read was by Timothy Richard, a Victorian Christian Missionary. It was not exactly a page turner - it was very much a case of "and then this happened, and then that happened, and then something else happened..."
I would be very interested to read a different translation, but the style in which this one was written left me a bit cold and bored.
I would be very interested to read a different translation, but the style in which this one was written left me a bit cold and bored.
September 9, 2012
This is a wonderful way to become familiar with much Chinese folklore and Eastern religion. It is also fun and brutal all at once, if a bit superficial, as many early folkloric tales can be. I highly recommend this to everyone... But especially to fans of the Monkey Magic series, for which thus book was the basis.
May 30, 2020
In a nutshell, one of the best books ever written. It is full of adventures. It also provides the reader with some important context about imperial China and the Chinese culture. The influence of this book on the Far East is remarkable. In this regard, this book is the cornerstone of practically all mangas and animes.
January 12, 2021
I loved it, but I am sad that I picked this edition of the story. Many adventures are clumsily abridged, sometimes later in a chapter stuff pops up which was not mentioned ever before.
Unfortunately, this edition was the only available one at my local bookstore. In hindsight a pity, but still well enough. Still, I hope to read the unabridged version one day.
Unfortunately, this edition was the only available one at my local bookstore. In hindsight a pity, but still well enough. Still, I hope to read the unabridged version one day.
April 26, 2011
This is a great, classic novel, but the translation leaves a little to be desired. While it's more accessible than many other translations, and for that reason perhaps better for sharing with younger readers and students, some of the poetry is lost in this retelling.
February 19, 2018
The monk, XuanZhang is ungrateful to Sun. If not for Sun, he probably would not have made it through one fourth of his journey. I really like the interactions between Sun and various celestial beings, mainly GuanYin, the Jade Emperor, and Lord Buddha himself.
October 30, 2012
This particular edition skims away some of the poetry, losing something in the process. Still a great re-telling of the classic story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews