《西游记》----《Journey to the West》
Journey to the West is a mythologi-
cal novel based on many centuries
of popular tradition.It was probably put
into its present form in the 15708 by
Wu Cheng’en (1500-82).
This lively fantasy relates the
amazing adventures of the priest San-
zang as he travels west in search of
Buddhist sutras with his three disci-
ples,the irreverent and capable Mon-
key,greedy Pig,and Friar Sand.The
opening chapters recount the earlier
exploits of Monkey,culminating in his
rebellion against Heaven.We then
learn how Sanzang became a monk
and was sent on his pilgrimage by the
Tang emperor who had escaped death
with the help of an Underworld official.
The main story,the journey,takes the
priest through all kinds of entertaining
trials and tribulations,mainly at the
hands of monsters and spirits who
want to eat him.Only the courage
and powers of his disciples,especially
Monkey,save him from death.Monkey
is the hero of the fantasy,and the read-
er will soon learn why he has long been
so loved in China.Will the pilgrims
reach the Vulture Peak and obtain the
Scriptures?The answer will only be
found at the end of the lOO-chapter
novel.
The story is as full of imagination
as Monkey is of magic,and packed
with incident and down-to-earth hu-
mour.The illustrations are from 19th-
century Chinese edition.This is the first
of the three volumes of the novel.