11-11-2005, 06:34 PM
This is a classic of Chinese literature dated at 1740 CE and often translated as Strange Tales of the Liaozhai. It's 431 ghost stories, or just plain strange stories, sort of like sci-fi before there was 'sci' in China, a like rennaisance twilight zone. The stories are short. I read an abridged version of only a few dozen of the most popular and I'm considering reading a more complete translation. It's an incredibly influential work, especially if you like Chinese horror films, and it allegedly influenced Kafka, which I can totally see. Many stories have this characteristic existential quality so pervasive in Chinese literature. Good stuff - fox spirits, martial arts, weird tales. There are many translations available.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse