{"title":"Wu Ch'eng-en","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover the enchanting world of Wu Ch'eng-en, a revered figure in Chinese literature, best known for his literary masterpiece, \u003cem\u003eMonkey King\u003c\/em\u003e. Renowned for his creative imagination and wit, Wu Ch'eng-en transports readers into a realm of vibrant characters and incredible adventures. This collection of \u003cem\u003eMonkey King\u003c\/em\u003e books offers more than just entertainment; it provides an insightful glance into Chinese culture and mythology, seamlessly blending traditional folklore with light-hearted humour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWu Ch'eng-en's works are cherished for their ability to captivate audiences of all ages, making them a delightful addition to your General Fiction collection. Whether you're new to his stories or revisiting them, the adventures of the mischievous Monkey King, also known as Sun Wukong, remain timeless favourites. Dive into these imaginative tales and experience why Wu Ch'eng-en's legacy continues to endure through generations.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"monkey-king","title":"Monkey King","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMonkey King\u003c\/em\u003e, also known as \u003cem\u003eJourney to the West\u003c\/em\u003e, is one of the pinnacles of Chinese literature, brought to life in a masterful new translation by the award-winning Julia Lovell. This vibrant and imaginative tale, often attributed to Wu Cheng'en, was written during the Ming dynasty and stands as one of China's Four Great Classical Novels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe story unfolds during the Tang dynasty, following the extraordinary pilgrimage of the monk Xuanzang as he quests to obtain sacred Buddhist scriptures from India. He is joined by a memorable ensemble: Sun Wukong, the rebellious and omni-talented Monkey King, whose kung-fu prowess and magical feats are legendary; Zhu Bajie, a humorous and gluttonous pig demon with an insatiable love for rice; and Sha Wujing, a melancholic river-sand monster with a dark past.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eComparable to Western classics like \u003cem\u003eThe Canterbury Tales\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eDon Quixote\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eMonkey King\u003c\/em\u003e is a rich tapestry of adventure and satire. It offers a comedic narrative that pokes fun at the intricacies of Chinese bureaucracy, while simultaneously providing profound spiritual insights. The journey of this unlikely band of characters is a prolonged allegory of the pursuit of enlightenment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough a series of captivating episodes filled with battles against formidable adversaries, encounters with intriguing deities, and displays of incredible magic, the novel explores themes of faith, perseverance, and redemption. The timeless appeal of \u003cem\u003eMonkey King\u003c\/em\u003e lies in its ability to blend whimsical storytelling with deep philosophical undertones, making it both an engaging tale and a source of spiritual reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eJulia Lovell's translation revives this classic for a contemporary audience, capturing the humour, wit, and profound wisdom that has enchanted readers for centuries. \u003cem\u003eMonkey King\u003c\/em\u003e is not just a journey across physical and spiritual landscapes, but also a perpetual journey into the human soul.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45692276572396,"sku":"9780141393445","price":50.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780141393445.jpg?v=1725555450"},{"product_id":"monkey-king-makes-havoc-in-heaven-by-wu-chengen-9780241752401","title":"Monkey King Makes Havoc in Heaven","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e90 classic titles celebrating 90 years of Penguin Books\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWu Cheng'en's 16th-century novel \u003cem\u003eJourney to the West\u003c\/em\u003e is widely regarded as one of the most important Chinese novels ever written. Here, in Julia Lovell's witty and charismatic translation, we meet one of its heroes - Sun Wukong, or Monkey King, whose powers include shape-shifting, immortality, and being incredibly rude.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThough he rises to a position of power in the heavenly bureaucracy, Monkey King's arrogant exploits attract the attention of the Buddha - with very unfortunate consequences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46463371346156,"sku":"9780241752401","price":17.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780241752401.jpg?v=1747871264"},{"product_id":"monkey-king-by-wu-cheng-en-9780143138938","title":"Monkey King","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the greatest classics of Chinese literature\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of China's Four Great Classical Novels, \u003cem\u003eMonkey King\u003c\/em\u003e was written anonymously during the Ming dynasty and is most commonly attributed to Wu Cheng'en, the son of a silk-shop clerk from east China. It recounts a Tang-dynasty monk's quest for Buddhist scriptures, accompanied by an omni-talented kung-fu Monkey King called Sun Wukong; a rice-loving divine pig; and a depressive man-eating river-sand monster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eComparable to \u003cem\u003eThe Canterbury Tales\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003eDon Quixote\u003c\/em\u003e, the tale is at once a comic adventure story, a humorous satire of Chinese bureaucracy, a spring of spiritual insight and an extended allegory in which the group of pilgrims journeys towards enlightenment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46546841895148,"sku":"9780143138938","price":24.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/26191363482238.jpg?v=1749851708"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/wu-cheng-en.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}