This slim volume contains a number of delightfully weird stories taken from "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" by Pu Songling (1640 - 1715). Apart from the fact that they are populated by supernatural beings (ghosts, poltergeists, shapeshifters and fantastic beasts), what makes these tales "weird" is that they defy Western conventions of the ghost or gothic story. Those expecting elaborate scene-painting or profound psychological probing will be disappointed. Instead, atmosphere and character are evoked in a few broad brushstrokes and the reader is immediately thrust into the narrative. The most otherworldly of happenings are described in matter-of-fact prose of fable-like simplicity - as if the boundary with the supernatural were but a veil which can be easily brushed away. The brevity of the tales needs some getting used to (some of the stories are only a couple of pages long) but the style grows on you and becomes unexpectedly addictive. Fans of the gothic who wish to read something different should look no further. ( )

I'm giving it two stars purely for the cultural education obtained from within these pages. The stories themselves were quite rubbish. ( )

This slim volume contains a number of delightfully weird stories taken from "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" by Pu Songling (1640 - 1715). Apart from the fact that they are populated by supernatural beings (ghosts, poltergeists, shapeshifters and fantastic beasts), what makes these tales "weird" is that they defy Western conventions of the ghost or gothic story. Those expecting elaborate scene-painting or profound psychological probing will be disappointed. Instead, atmosphere and character are evoked in a few broad brushstrokes and the reader is immediately thrust into the narrative. The most otherworldly of happenings are described in matter-of-fact prose of fable-like simplicity - as if the boundary with the supernatural were but a veil which can be easily brushed away. The brevity of the tales needs some getting used to (some of the stories are only a couple of pages long) but the style grows on you and becomes unexpectedly addictive. Fans of the gothic who wish to read something different should look no further. ( )

Fairies, foxes, trolls and demon-turtles...

A collection of simple, easy to follow, short stories from 17th century China. They were fantastic in my personal opinion. ( )

Fairies, foxes, trolls and demon-turtles...

A collection of simple, easy to follow, short stories from 17th century China. They were fantastic in my personal opinion. ( )