This book contains 29 distinct folk stories from the Chinese domain, translated by sinologist and professor William Dolby. A wealth of Chinese folk-stories exists, and these are some of the most classical of the rang of such tales, no doubt recorded with varying degrees of sensitivity and fidelity, some woodenly, some over-laconically, some verbosely and some conveying more fully the sparkling imagination that would undoubtedly have held the traditional listeners enthralled.
Folk traditions in China have been rich thriving and varied. Here is a selection of tales that are sometimes lusty, sometimes delicate and exquisite, their lively themes involving wit, adventure, ingenious why-so stories, monsters, magic, music, moon-cakes, shape-shifting, dragons, ogres, a catastrophically high-jumping silk-worm, and a bride-snatching maple-leaf demon.
Owing to both traditional and modern social conditions and educational preferences, rich folk traditions have been largely kept apart from overt influence on orthodox literature, and even written literature as a whole, although there have been notable exceptions, such as the tale of Liu Ch'en and Juan Chao in the fairy paradise. The folkloric collecting of the past century or so has revealed both the huge extent of this exclusion and the enormous potential of folk literature for thematic and stylistic inspiration to future creativity in all directions.
About the Author: One of the foremost experts on the Chinese language, culture and history, a highly respected and renowned lecturer in Mandarin and father of five, William (Bill) Dolby spent his life surpassing academic excellence. Throughout his active career and until the last, Bill freely shared his deep love of Chinese drama and Classical Chinese and in so doing created a truly inspirational and sound foundation in those who took the time to listen. As a true master the respect that he gained from his peers and from students, friends and colleagues is indisputably a priceless rarity.
Over his lifetime he had various works published, all of which remain foremost works. These include 'A History of Chinese Drama' published by Elek Books in 1976 (ISBN 0 236 30903) and Lao She, Mr Ma and Son, published by Penguin in 2013 (ISBN NO: 978-0-14-320811-2) however, his greatest works are contained within his self-titled 'The Chinese Culture Series' 33 distinctly individual works; poetry, translation, insight and drama, which only today are being made available for others to share.
