Pu Songling was a Chinese writer of the Qing Dynasty, renowned for his collection of tales, Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio. His work delves into the complexities of human nature and the supernatural, often infused with irony and social commentary. Pu's distinctive narrative style captivates readers with its rich prose and ability to weave intricate, often uncanny, stories.
"Strange Tales from the Liaozhai Studio," written by Pu Songling during the Qing Dynasty, features over 500 folk tales that blend the supernatural with reality, showcasing a vivid world of humans, ghosts, and monsters. Renowned for its satirical tone and imaginative storytelling, it is a significant work in Chinese literature, translated into many languages.
Long considered a masterpiece of the eerie and fantastic, Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio is a collection of supernatural-themed tales compiled from ancient Chinese folk stories by Songling Pu in the eighteenth century
'...revealing great shining fangs more than three inches long.' Some of the most macabre and wonderful of all Chinese stories, including 'The Golden Goblet', 'Scorched Moth the Daoist' and 'The Black Beast' Introducing Little Black Classics: 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin Classics, with books from around the world and across many centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions. Pu Songling (1640-1715). Pu Songling's Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio is available in Penguin Classics.
Tales of Liaozhai was written by Pu Songling (1640-1715) shortly after the founding of the Qing Dynasty. Fo fairies, ghosts and other strange spirits abound, meting out rewards and punishments to good or erring mortals. Based on popular legends and folklores, these tales were retold by Pu Songling in an era of strict censorship and represent hid hostility to the new Manchurulers and their corrupt officials. Seventeen of these stories have been selected for this edition. Translated by Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang.
Chinesische Geistergeschichten sind immer auch Liebesgeschichten, denn alle Geister zieht es unwiderstehlich zum Menschen – um Liebe zu geben oder zu empfangen, um Glück zu suchen oder im Leid zu vergehen. Der Philosoph Martin Buber schrieb in seinem Vorwort, diese Geister seien ‘Wesen unseres Weltkreises, nur in einer tieferen, dunkleren Schicht geboren’. Genau das bestimmt die Magie dieser 16 Erzählungen von der Liebe zwischen Menschen und Dämonen. Sie sind dem reichen Erzählwerk des Dichters Pu Songling entnommen.
