Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio
Pu Songling · 1640–1715 · China
Originally Liaozhai Zhiyi (Chinese) · translated by John Minford
Why it matters
Nearly five hundred tales of fox spirits, ghosts, and shape-shifters use the supernatural to needle corrupt officials and unjust marriages in Qing-dynasty China. Compact, polished classical prose housing some of Chinese literature's wildest incident.
At a glance
short story collectiongothic
Difficulty 5/10fast pace562 pagesIndividually short, self-contained tales in formal classical style, though the full collection is vast.
Where to go next
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Cao Xueqin · 1791Dream of the Red ChamberLvl 9Slow burn
Eileen Chang · 1943Love in a Fallen CityLvl 5Medium pace