Chinese Fairy Tales and Fantasies (Pantheon Fairy Tales & Fantasies) (The Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library)

Moss Roberts has made an excellent job of translating these ancient Chinese tales and anecdotes into English. They are fascinating, enlightening and entertaining in a variety of ways and so much more rewarding than the constant three son/daughter syndrome found in so many European folk tales and no fairies are involved, although there are a few dragons.Best of all, these tales, and especially the short anecdotes, are thought provoking. They stimulate the imagination, leading the reader into creative thinking, which inspires a wholesome state of mind far removed from boring conventionalities. The adage telling us that those who travel the farthest are those who remain in one place comes readily to mind when reading these tales, many of which are mind stimulating rather than escapist in quality.Perhaps, best of all, is the fact that the tales are both timeless and tireless. Not only do they apply in any day and age, they also inspire us to read them many times with each time teaching us something new about human nature and the way we think and act. Most of us, having finished reading some novel or other, have had the experience of feeling that the character building has been ruined by too much waffle. Well, here's the anecdote to all that going back through at least three millennia. We have here a fascinating read.

I thought they would be more varied but we didn’t get past the first chapter with my 9 year old because all the tales start off with romantic intentions.

I have only read a few stories so far, and I didn't find them very interesting.

Good

Brqnd new book came just in time! Thank you!!!

Book received had a different cover.