Two Asian Classics

Sep-Oct 2016
The Story of Hong Gildong – tr. Minsoo Kang - Penguin, 2016 / Monkey - Wu Cheng'en tr. Arthur Waley, Penguin 1961
* * * / * * * *
As part of a reverse grand tour celebrating my half century, I spent an interesting two weeks in China, which made me realise how little Asian classical literature I have read. Monkey seemed a good place to start, and Hong Gildong came up as a recommended accompaniment. Although set in very different societies and at different periods in history, they share a similar approach, not least in their overpowered heroes and in the way they challenge and subvert social norms.
( Read more... )