Journey to the west3/17/2023 ![]() ![]() I only recently became well-acquainted with the story of Chang Er, the goddess of the moon – therefore, seeing her and many other Chinese gods referenced was quite exciting and created greater personal meaning for the story being told. The story is a treat for anyone familiar with Chinese history and culture with the novel featuring a multitude of Confucian and Buddhist readings. ![]() ![]() Throughout their journey, they encounter all sorts of demons, monsters, and other tribulations that stand between them and their goal. Sanzang is accompanied by Sun Wukong as well as three other loyal subjects who all are promised redemption from previous errors by Guanyin if they succeed. However, the main narrative of the novel occurs several hundred years after the prologue when the Chinese Buddhist monk, Tang Sanzang (also known as Tripitaka) is appointed by the goddess Guanyin to travel to India in search of sacred Buddhist texts. This translation by Lovell infuses contemporary English dialogue and vocabulary into the story to turn Monkey King: Journey to the West into a very different reading experience than what many English readers may be familiar with (trust me though, that is a good thing).įor anyone unfamiliar with the story of Monkey King: Journey to the West, it follows Sun Wukong (translating roughly to “monkey awakened by emptiness”) – a monkey born from a magic stone who in the novel’s prologue wreaks all kinds of havoc across Earth and the Heavens in his search for immortality, power, and recognition. Those wishing for an updated translation of this classic need to look no further than 2021 translation. While still a masterclass in storytelling and translation, the novel may not appeal to all modern audiences. The translation of Monkey that I and many English readers are familiar with would most likely be translation entitled Monkey: A Folk Tale of China, which was first published in 1942. Of course, this begs the question, why am I reviewing this book in 2021? The effects of this novel on Chinese and world literature are immeasurable. The book has been dissected by myriad academics, theologians, and literary critics through the years. The book has its origin in China’s Ming dynasty from author Wu Cheng’en, and since its inception, the story of Sun Wukong, Tang Sanzang, and his disciples’ journey from China to India has been read countless times all over the world. ALEC FARMER WRITES – Monkey King: Journey to the West (2021) is a translation of one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese Literature. ![]()
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