The Ch'i-lin Purse: A Collection of Ancient Chinese Stories (Sunburst Book) - Softcover

Fang, Linda

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0374411891 ISBN 13: 9780374411893

Publisher: Square Fish, 1997

Synopsis

A Storytelling World magazine award winner

In turns funny, poignant, and wise, these nine lively stories are peopled with an array of unusual characters, including a young woman raised as a boy who is then faced with the complicated business of marriage; a carp-fish spirit who changes herself into a young woman for love's sake; a Miracle Doctor who can cure all illnesses except one; and a shopkeeper who learns the hard way the true meaning of justice.

About this title

About the Author:

Linda Fang is a storyteller and educator who specializes in bringing Chinese tales to American audiences. She was instrumental in establishing Washington, D.C.'s Telling Moments Theater for live storytelling. Fang grew up in Shanghai, China, and now makes her home in the United States.

Jeanne M. Lee is the author and illustrator of many books, including The Song of Mu Lan and I Once Was a Monkey: Stories Buddha Told. She lives in Massachusetts.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 4-7?A collection of 10 Chinese stories derived from the history of the Warring States Period (770-221 B.C.E.) and from operatic versions of popular tales. Retellings are vivid, lively, and read aloud well. Many have a moral, and all are entertaining; some, like the eponymous story, are quite moving. "The Two Miss Peonys" has appeared in its Sino-Vietnamese version in Lynette Vuong's The Golden Carp (Lothrop, 1993). A list of sources with Fang's commentary is appended, including admission of any changes?in all but one case minor?to the original material. A pronunciation guide and glossary appear in the back of the book. In the former, the author explains with specious reasoning her misguided decision to use the antiquated, inaccurate Wade-Giles transcription for Chinese names and terms; even on its own terms, this guide leaves lots unexplained. Also, defining Chinese terms in a glossary instead of in context only impedes the narrative flow. The black-and-white illustrations?one per selection?are graceful, depicting widely different epochs with amazing accuracy. Except for the aforementioned flaws, this is a charming collection.?John Philbrook, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Square Fish
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0374411891
• ISBN 13: 9780374411893
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144
• Illustrator: Lee Jeanne M.