Product: Book ISBN-10: 7-119-01663-6 ISBN-13: 9787119016634 Publisher: Foreign Languages Press Country: China Year: January 1, 2003 Size: 11.43 x 18.80 x 9.65cm Number of pages: 2346 Weight: 1,338gr Binding: Paperback
Product Description Journey to the West is a classic Chinese mythological novel. It was written during the Ming Dynasty based on traditional folktales. Consisting of 100 chapters, this fantasy relates the adventures of a Tang Dynasty (618-907) priest Sanzang and his three disciples, Monkey, Pig and Friar Sand, as they travel west in search of Buddhist Sutra. The first seven chapters recount the birth of the Monkey King and his rebellion against Heaven. Then in chapters eight to twelve, we learn how Sanzang was born and why he is searching for the scriptures, as well as his preparations for the journey. The rest of the story describes how they vanquish demons and monsters, tramp over the Fiery Mountain, cross the Milky Way, and after overcoming many dangers, finally arrive at their destination – the Thunder Monastery in the Western Heaven – and find the Sutra.
Attached are a number of illustrations drawn during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
reviews
Some mistakes, but swift correction
I ordered this product around Christmas time, and it was intended to be a present for a friend. Unfortunately, the order became lost in the mail. I contacted Amazon with questions and options on what I could do to still receive this book set, and I received a prompt reply. The representative was very cooperative and friendly. A new box set was sent out soon after communications, and that set was received within a week.
Thanks for the great books, everyone! My friend is loving them.
Nice book
Delivery speed was ok. Shipping rate was great considering the size and weight of this book collection. Books quality is as expected for paper edition.
Very Interesting Book Series – It Has Earned the Title: Classic!
I have read the series at least three times. Very fun. Very addictive series. This series gives you a very fun look into ancient Chinese culture and mind-set.
Too much repetitives.
The book was good but I thought that the spirit and demon stories are too much the same over and over. Especially when the author translate the phrase »the two fought for so many rounds and neither seem to emerge to a victory.« every time Monkey King fights the demons. Believe me, it gets old.
And Tang priest is made out to be so wimpy, crying all of the times he's caught by the demons. I know he's supposed to be a mortal man, but, common! crying like a baby whenever he's caught?
Another thing, why hasn't the Tang priest trust Monkey King's judgement on knowing when they meet spirits and demons? They have been traveling together for like ten years or so.
I had to skip a lot because got tired of reading the same type of monsters capturing them and what Monkey King has to go thru to save them.
Readable
This translation is not as flowery as the Anthony Yu translation and does not have the extensive footnotes but is a fun read. Uses more modern language so it's not necessary to constantly look up references to understand the story.