FAMOUS CHINESE SHORT STORIES
By
A flavorsome, enticing collection of timeless Chinese tales adapted for Western readers by a well known writer. Some date back to the Golden Age of the Tang Dynasty and give evidence of a rich culture in the 9th century. Ancient tales have been brought into focus for modern readers much as Fitzgerald popularized the Omar Khayyam, a liberty authorized by Chinese story tellers time out of mind. The stories fall under headings of Mystery and Adventure, Love and Satire, and are more or less in the picaresque tradition. Lin Yutang's reverence and honesty, his deep lying need to identify his culture in fellowship with humanity result in an entrancing volume.