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The "Four Great Classic Novels" from 14th-18th century China: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_Chinese_Novels https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_Chinese

by zawerf 8y ago

The "Four Great Classic Novels" from 14th-18th century China: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_Chinese_Novels https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_Chinese_Novels Specifically: Water Margin Romance of the Three Kingdoms Journey to the West Dream of the Red Chamber They are referenced in everything in asian media and there a bajillion tv/movie adaptations of them but they are relatively unknown in the west.

oldcynic 8y ago
Seconded. They are excellent. I must re-read them. Water Margin[0] came to UK on TV in the early 80s from Japanese TV. Gained quite a following. Journey to the West came to the UK as Monkey[1] (again a Japanese adaptation) around the same time. It was the most ridiculous, weird thing on TV. Most people at school were addicted to it. It became a cult classic. Sadly Saiyuki 2 never made it to the UK. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Water_Margin_(1973_TV_series) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Water_Margin_(1973_TV_seri... [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_(TV_series) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_(TV_series)
- pimlottc 8y ago
  Damon Alburn (musician from Blur and Gorillaz) also co-created a stage adaptation as Monkey: Journey to the West: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey:_Journey_to_the_West https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey:_Journey_to_the_West
_jgdh 8y ago
I think it’s interesting because even when a person outside of China is exposed to them, they might not realise the influence. Close to a million people a day play Dota 2 but I doubt they know that the Monkey King (https://youtube.com/watch?v=guGFT27SavM https://youtube.com/watch?v=guGFT27SavM) is the main character of Journey to the West. About these 4 books, are there any translations or Kindle versions you recommend?
- icsllaf 8y ago
  I'm currently reading Water Margin which was translated to English by the Foreign Language Press[0]. Although very simplified in tone and diction, the translation is still amazing and it comes in four volumes as well so it's around 2000 pages of text. [0]http://www.flp.com.cn/en/ http://www.flp.com.cn/en/
jackgolding 8y ago
There is a recent Journey to the West Movie, which is very well made!

by zawerf 8y ago

oldcynic 8y ago

Seconded. They are excellent. I must re-read them. Water Margin[0] came to UK on TV in the early 80s from Japanese TV. Gained quite a following. Journey to the West came to the UK as Monkey[1] (again a Japanese adaptation) around the same time. It was the most ridiculous, weird thing on TV. Most people at school were addicted to it. It became a cult classic. Sadly Saiyuki 2 never made it to the UK. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Water_Margin_(1973_TV_series) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Water_Margin_(1973_TV_seri... [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_(TV_series) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_(TV_series)

pimlottc 8y ago
Damon Alburn (musician from Blur and Gorillaz) also co-created a stage adaptation as Monkey: Journey to the West: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey:_Journey_to_the_West https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey:_Journey_to_the_West

_jgdh 8y ago

I think it’s interesting because even when a person outside of China is exposed to them, they might not realise the influence. Close to a million people a day play Dota 2 but I doubt they know that the Monkey King (https://youtube.com/watch?v=guGFT27SavM https://youtube.com/watch?v=guGFT27SavM) is the main character of Journey to the West. About these 4 books, are there any translations or Kindle versions you recommend?

icsllaf 8y ago
I'm currently reading Water Margin which was translated to English by the Foreign Language Press[0]. Although very simplified in tone and diction, the translation is still amazing and it comes in four volumes as well so it's around 2000 pages of text. [0]http://www.flp.com.cn/en/ http://www.flp.com.cn/en/

jackgolding 8y ago

There is a recent Journey to the West Movie, which is very well made!