Discover the Magic of Chinese Folk-Lore Tales by J. Macgowan

Chinese Folk-Lore Tales by J. Macgowan

A review of a collection of enchanting stories that will transport you to the ancient and mysterious land of China

Do you love stories that are full of magic, wonder, and adventure? Do you want to read stories that will teach you about the culture, history, and values of a different people? If so, you might want to read Chinese Folk-Lore Tales by J. Macgowan.

Chinese Folk-Lore Tales is a collection of eleven stories that was first published in 1910 by J. Macgowan, a British missionary who lived and worked in China for many years. The stories are based on the folk tales and legends that he heard from the Chinese people, and they reflect their beliefs, customs, and traditions. The stories are also rich in imagination, humor, and emotion, and they feature a variety of characters, such as gods, goddesses, fairies, demons, animals, and humans.

In this article, I will tell you what Chinese Folk-Lore Tales is about, why it is worth reading, and how you can enjoy it even more. I will also answer some frequently asked questions about the book and its author. By the end of this article, you will be eager to read Chinese Folk-Lore Tales by J. Macgowan and discover the magic of its stories.

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What is Chinese Folk-Lore Tales about?

Chinese Folk-Lore Tales is a collection of eleven stories that cover different themes and genres, such as romance, comedy, tragedy, horror, and morality. Here are the titles and summaries of the stories:

• The Widow Ho: A story about a poor widow who is harassed by a greedy landlord. She prays to the God of the River for help, and he sends her a giant fish that changes her life.
• Kwang-Jui and the God of the River: A story about a young man who falls in love with a beautiful girl who is actually the daughter of the God of the River. He has to prove his worthiness to marry her by passing three tests.
• The Beautiful Daughter of Liu-Kung: A story about a rich man who has a daughter who is so beautiful that she attracts the attention of the Emperor. He tries to hide her from him by sending her to a remote monastery, but fate has other plans for her.
• The Fairy Bonze: A story about a monk who is actually a fairy in disguise. He uses his magic powers to help people in need, but he also has a weakness for wine and women.
• The Mysterious Buddhist Robe: A story about a young man who steals a precious robe from a Buddhist temple. He soon realizes that the robe has a curse on it that brings him misfortune and misery.
• The Vengeance of the Goddess: A story about a wicked man who kills his wife and tries to marry another woman. He is punished by the Goddess of Mercy, who sends him a series of plagues and disasters.
• “The Wonderful Man”: A story about a man who claims to have extraordinary abilities, such as flying, walking on water, and turning stones into gold. He tries to impress people with his feats, but he also meets his match in a clever woman.
• The God of the City: A story about a man who becomes the god of a city after saving it from a flood. He enjoys his new status and power, but he also faces some challenges and temptations.
• The Tragedy of the Yin Family: A story about a family that is cursed by an evil spirit. The spirit causes them to suffer from poverty, disease, and death.
• Sam-Chung and the Water Demon: A story about a young man who sacrifices himself to save his mother from a deadly illness. He journeys to the underworld to find a magic herb, but he also has to face a fearsome water demon.
• The Reward of a Benevolent Life: A story about an old man who lives a simple and kind life. He is rewarded by heaven with three gifts that bring him happiness and peace.

Why should you read Chinese Folk-Lore Tales?

Chinese Folk-Lore Tales is a book that has many qualities that make it worth reading. Here are some of them:

• It’s educational. Chinese Folk-Lore Tales is a book that will teach you about the culture, history, and values of China. You will learn about their beliefs, customs, and traditions that have been passed down for generations. You will also learn about their myths, legends, and folklore that reflect their imagination, humor, and emotion.
• It’s entertaining. Chinese Folk-Lore Tales is a book that will keep you entertained from start to finish. It has a variety of stories that cover different themes and genres, such as romance, comedy, tragedy, horror, and morality. It has a variety of characters that are interesting, funny, or scary. It has a variety of plots that are exciting, surprising, or touching.
• It’s well-written. Chinese Folk-Lore Tales is written in a simple and clear style that makes it easy to read and understand. Macgowan uses vivid descriptions, witty dialogue, and clever metaphors to bring his stories and characters to life. He also uses humor, irony, and sarcasm to lighten the mood and add some spice to the stories.

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How can you enjoy Chinese Folk-Lore Tales even more?

Chinese Folk-Lore Tales is a book that you can enjoy on its own, but you can also enhance your reading experience by doing some of these things:

• Learn more about the author. J. Macgowan was a fascinating person who had an interesting life and career. He was born in 1843 in Ireland, but he moved to China in 1860 as a missionary. He lived and worked in China for over 50 years, and he learned to speak and write Chinese fluently. He wrote many books and articles about China, such as The Imperial History of China, The Life of Confucius, and A History of China. He also wrote many stories based on the folk tales and legends that he heard from the Chinese people, such as Chinese Fairy Tales, Strange Stories from China, and Chinese Folk-Lore Tales. He died in 1922 in England.
• Learn more about the historical context. Chinese Folk-Lore Tales is set in the late 19th and early 20th century, a period of great changes and challenges in China. It was the time of the Qing Dynasty, the Opium Wars, the Taiping Rebellion, the Boxer Rebellion, and the Xinhai Revolution. It was also the time of social reforms, scientific discoveries, artistic movements, and literary innovations. You can research more about these topics online or in books, and see how they relate to Macgowan’s stories.
• Compare it with other books and movies. Chinese Folk-Lore Tales is not the only book that tells enchanting stories from China. You can find many other books that have similar themes or elements, such as Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio by Pu Songling, Journey to the West by Wu Cheng’en, or The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. You can also watch some movies that are based on or inspired by Macgowan’s stories or his other works, such as The Painted Veil (2006), The Forbidden Kingdom (2008), or Mulan (2020).
• Discuss it with others. Chinese Folk-Lore Tales is a book that can spark lively conversations with other readers. You can share your opinions, questions, and insights about the book with your friends, family, or classmates. You can also join online forums or book clubs that focus on classic literature or folk tales. You can also write reviews or blogs about the book and share them with other people online.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most common questions that readers have about Chinese Folk-Lore Tales and its author:

• Where can I find Chinese Folk-Lore Tales? Chinese Folk-Lore Tales is available in various formats, such as paperback, hardcover, ebook, and audiobook. You can buy it online or in bookstores, or you can borrow it from libraries or friends. You can also read it for free online on websites like Project Gutenberg¹, Wikisource, or Free-eBooks.net.
• Is Chinese Folk-Lore Tales suitable for children? Chinese Folk-Lore Tales is not a children’s book, but it can be enjoyed by older children and teenagers who like folk tales and legends. However, some parts of the book may be too violent, scary, or mature for younger readers. Parents and teachers should use their discretion and guidance when introducing this book to children.
• Is Chinese Folk-Lore Tales based on a true story? Chinese Folk-Lore Tales is based on the folk tales and legends that Macgowan heard from the Chinese people during his time in China. He adapted them to suit his style and audience, but he tried to preserve their original spirit and flavor. He also added some historical and cultural details to make them more authentic and realistic.
• What is the meaning of the title Chinese Folk-Lore Tales? The title Chinese Folk-Lore Tales refers to the nature and source of the stories in the book. They are folk tales that belong to the oral tradition of the Chinese people, who passed them down from generation to generation by word of mouth. They are also lore tales that reflect the beliefs, customs, and traditions of the Chinese culture.

Conclusion

Chinese Folk-Lore Tales by J. Macgowan is a collection of enchanting stories that will transport you.

Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful and informative. If you did, please share it with others who might be interested in reading Chinese Folk-Lore Tales by J. Macgowan. And if you have any comments or questions about the book or the article, please feel free to leave them below.

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