Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio - New Curriculum Recommended Reading - Classic Must-Reads for Young Apple Readers

Author: Pu Songling
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Pu Songling, known for his masterful storytelling of ghosts and foxes, styled Liu Xian and styled Liuquan Ju, was a native of Zibo, Shandong. He was born into a declining landlord family during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. He never succeeded in the imperial examinations throughout his life. Later, he earned a living by writing articles for sale, serving as a secretary for others, and teaching as a tutor. After decades of, he compiled this collection of short stories filled with tales of ghosts and foxes from various odd and miraculous stories he had collected. It is a book of grievances with hidden meanings, originally titled "Tales of Ghosts and Foxes," but later renamed "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" after being circulated in the for 50 years after the author's death. It is not only a masterpiece of Chinese classical fiction but also a treasure of world literature. The stories in this book are mostly about deities, ghosts, and monsters, yet these seemingly absurd tales hold profound realistic significance. Exposing feudal oppression is a major theme of the book, with many chapters condemning and criticizing the oppressive forces that exploit the common people. Works like "Dream of a Wolf" and "The Mantis" vividly expose the corruption of the entire feudal bureaucracy. Additionally, some life-philosophical stories, such as "Planting Pears" and "The Labor Mountain Taoist," leave readers in stitches with their humor. This book retains the charm of the original while being easy to understand, and it includes many exquisite illustrations, allowing children to directly appreciate the essence of the masterpiece. Kids, hurry up!