Overview

Toward the end of the eighteenth century, the scholar and wit Ji Xiaolan published five collections of anecdotes and discourses on the interaction between the mundane and the spirit worlds, incorporating earthly life stories and happenings. Containing Ji's thoughts and others' experiences, these tales concern peasants, servants, merchants, governors, and ministers; take place throughout the Qing empire; and recount comedy and tragedy, cruelty and kindness, corruption and integrity, and erudition and ignorance. Some stories use ghosts to satirize men and manners; others straightforwardly examine beliefs and practices. Altogether, they draw a portrait of the time unmatched in scope and variety. Selections are organized thematically and include a contextualizing preface. An introduction appraises Ji's own career and the atmosphere in which he lived.

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9789629966010

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An intimate look at everyday life in China as it was when the Qing was at its height. An excellent resource for those interested in traditional China.... Highly recommended.--Choice

"An intimate look at everyday life in China as it was when the Qing was at its height. An excellent resource for those interested in traditional China.... Highly recommended.-- ""Choice"""

Author Information

David E. Pollard, now retired, was formerly Professor of Chinese in the University of London and thereafter Professor of Translation in The Chinese University of Hong Kong. His principal fields of research and publication have been modern Chinese literature, classical Chinese prose and translation studies. Books published by The Chinese University Press have been The True Story of Lu Xun (2002) and Zhou Zuoren: Selected Essays (2006); his The Chinese Essay (1999) was published by the Research Centre for Translation, also CUHK.

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