Classical Chinese Novel Popular Library -- The First Edition of Surprised by the Tabletop Wonder

Author: Ling Mengchu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: The Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio and More Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, independently created by Ling Mengchu during the Ming Dynasty, are representative collections of colloquial tales influenced by Feng Menglong's "Three Words." They have long been renowned masterpieces in the history of Chinese fiction. In the autumn of the seventh year of the Tianqi reign, Ling Mengchu, having failed in the imperial examinations in Nanjing, felt aimless and began writing novels, supported by the bookshop Shangzhi Tang. The following winter, the 40-volume Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, which fully imitated "Three Words," was successfully published. In Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, merchants, craftsmen, petty intellectuals, monks, clerks, courtesans, and bandits became the protagonists of the narrative, reflecting the real-life conditions of the common people in Ming Dynasty society through their experiences. The book features works such as The Lucky Merchant Encounters the Dongting Red Pear and The Persian Merchant Discovers the Turtle Shell, which depict the lives of merchants, as well as The Young Couple's Love Story and The Elder Sister's Soul Journey and the Younger Sister's Recovery, which portray the romance and marriage of young men and women. Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio also exhibits notable artistic merits. The works are concise and well-structured, with vivid details and fluent language, demonstrating refined artistic skill.