We’re starting off this translation month with an accessible and succinct guide to one of the most beloved and complex pieces of Chinese literature. A Companion to “The Story of the Stone” provides curious readers all the tools and context they need to enjoy a Sinophone classic.
In his piece, Pai Hsien-yung explores Chinese mythology surrounding the afterlife. Contextualizing the notion of the body, po, and hun, Pai unpacks the divine and mythic thread within The Story of the Stone. Ghosts, fairies, and Buddhism are all explored in his post, coming September 7.