Second Edition: Surprising Stories from the World (Complete 6 Volumes)

Author: (Ming) Ling Mengchu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-08-01
Features: The Second Collection of Surprising Stories and Surprising Stories were both written by Ling Mengchu in the late Ming Dynasty. They are renowned alongside Feng Menglong's Admonitory Stories of the World, Stories for Warning the World, and Everlasting Stories for Awakening the World as representative works of Ming Dynasty "storytelling" and "imitated storytelling." They hold an important position in the history of Chinese fiction and are collectively known as the "Three Words and Two Surprises." Both The Second Collection of Surprising Stories and Surprising Stories are collections of vernacular novels written by the author in imitation of the "storytelling" genre. They are also a popular fiction collection with realistic significance, featuring a wide range of themes and rich content. The works vividly depict the darkness of the feudal court, the flaws of the imperial examination system, the absurdity of alchemy and gold-seeking, the clergy's pursuit of wealth and sexual exploits, the indulgence in extravagance and debauchery, the consequences of polygamy, the contrast between poverty and wealth, the cunning of the marketplace, and the benevolence of honest merchants, among other things. These colorful stories profoundly reflect the decline of the feudal society. Most of the stories in the collections are complete, with intricate plots, vivid character portrayals, and a realistic depiction of human society, leaving behind many memorable and widely enjoyed works for later generations.