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The Magic Lotus Lantern and Other Tales from the Han Chinese
Haiwang Yuan
Foreword by Michael Ann Williams
Book Code: LU2946
ISBN: 1-59158-294-6
ISBN-13: 978-1-59158-294-6
268 pages, illustrations; map; photos
Libraries Unlimited
Publication: 5/30/2006
List Price: $40.00 (UK Sterling Price: £22.95)
Availability: In Stock
Media Type: Hardcover
Trim Size: 7 x 10
Subjects:
Series Title: World Folklore Series
Reviews:
  • Yuan has done an admirable job of presenting these tales. In the book's first two parts (60 pages), he offers cultural context and a brief introduction to the language, population, history, literature, foods, games, and crafts associated with the popular culture of the Han Chinese, who make up more than 90 percent of the population of China. The writings themselves--54 folktales, myths, legends, and popular tales--take up the third part, and all are well known among the Han Chinese. Yuan distinguishes between the culture and tales of the Han Chinese and the cultures and tales of minority ethnic Chinese. He will treat the latter in a second volume, tentatively titled Princess Peacock and Tales of Other Chinese Peoples (forthcoming, 2007). Two appendixes, "Chinese Proverbs" and "Motifs and Tale Sources," plus the glossary and references make this book useful to both scholars and the uninitiated. Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; general readers.
    —Choice     January 2007
  • The author balances traditionality and modern transformations of customs, performing arts, music, games, and storytelling to convey a dynamic picture of their historical development. The brevity of the first two parts, along with powerful illustrations, effectively draws an informative sketch of China in a limited number of pages.
    —Journal of Folklore Research     April 2, 2008
  • The book, written with verve and simplicity, is in a style that makes it interesting for readers of all ages. Clearly it is written by a person who really enjoys and understands his topic. It is a wonderful introduction to Chinese culture and one of the best books that I have read on Chinese folk tales.
    —Daily News (Bowling Green, KY)     September 17, 2006
Description: In the past decades, the doors between China and the West have been flung open. Explosive economic growth and massive increases in travel and immigration have engendered curiosity and interest in this burgeoning nation. Yet modernization has a dark side too, threatening traditional Chinese culture, including stories and storytelling. This new gathering of stories from a variety of sources, captures the fading storytelling traditions of a vast and diverse country. Focusing specifically on the stories of the Han Chinese (the largest ethnic group in China, numbering over a billion people), the collection presents more than 50 tales, both well known and obscure--from "Monkeys Fishing the Moon" and "The Butterfly Lovers" to "Dragon Princess" and "Painted Skin." These are stories that will enchant listeners of all ages, while providing a glimpse into Chinese traditions and ways of thought. Tales are organized into seven sections: Animal Tales; Tales of Magic, Love and Romance; Myths, Legends and Immortals; Moral Stories; How Things Came to Be; and Proverbial Tales. To further enhance cultural understanding, the stories are supplemented with historical and cultural background, notes on storytelling and other folk traditions, recipes, proverbs, color photos, a map, a glossary, and more. All grade levels.
Table of Contents:
  • Foreword
  • Introduction
  • Map of China
  • General Introduction to China
  • Food, Games, and Crafts
  • The Tales
  • Animal Tales
  • Magic Tales
  • Tales of Love and Romance
  • Myths, Legends, and Immortals
  • Moral Tales
  • Tales of How Things Came to Be
  • Proverbial Tales
  • Appendix
LC Card Number: 2006011702
LCC Class: GR335
Dewey Class: 398
PDF Catalogs:
LU Academic Library Spring 2008.pdf
LU Public Library Spring 2008.pdf
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