Classic Chinese Short Stories - Various Audiobook

Written by Various
Read by Charlton Griffin
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 64 Kbps
Unabridged

Classic Chinese Short Stories, Volume 1

Written by: Lin Yu Tang, Feng Meng-lung, P’u Sung-ling, more
Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
Length: 4 hrs and 27 mins
Audiobook
Release Date:01-22-04
Publisher: Audio Connoisseur
Audio Format: Audible Enhanced Audio

Publisher’s Summary

China has been a wellspring of storytelling for over 2,000 years. Sadly, this fantastic literature is little known in the west outside the halls of academia, though a handful of recent 20th century authors have attained a respectable following. The stories in this volume date from the sixth century A.D. to the early part of the 20th century, and will give the listener a good feel for the subject. Astonishingly, the Chinese enjoyed from the earliest times many of the genres we take for granted today, from romance and love to adventure and satire.
There are seven stories in Volume 1.

In “The White Monkey,” by Anonymous, a general’s honor and self respect are on the line when his wife is kidnapped.

“The Jade Goddess,” retold by Lin Yu Tang, is like a fine piece of exquisite porcelain. This wonderful story from the 6th century is a thing of delicate beauty. Will an artist put aside his creative gifts for the sake of love?

“The Canary Murders,” by Feng Meng-lung, is a twelfth century forerunner ofthe detective story which attempts to sort out a string of mysterious deaths.

“The Book Worm,” by P’u Sung-ling is a humorous satire about a bibliophile who suddenly finds love.

In “K’ung I-Chi,” by Lu Hsun, an old-fashioned scholar loses his way in life.

In “Mr. Pan In Distress,” by Yeh Shao-Chun, war threatens the settled life of a provincial educator.

“Intoxicating Spring Nights,” by Yu Ta-fu, is a look at the effects of a newly industrialized society.

© and (P)2003 Audio Connoisseur

What the Critics Say

“The stories are lovely….Griffin reads in a deep, rich voice that is easy to listen to.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Classic Chinese Short Stories, Volume 2

Written by: Yuan Chen, Tu Kwang-Ting, Feng Meng-lung, more
Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins
Audiobook
Release Date:03-18-04
Publisher: Audio Connoisseur

Publisher’s Summary

Chinese literature offers the most satisfying glimpse into the mysterious and beautiful civilization of China of any of the means at our disposal. But we discover in its pages the same human conditions which color our own cultures today. Love, revenge, betrayal, honor…they all bring our humanity into sharper focus, cutting through the confusion of nationality and time to draw us closer together with a celebration of our own similarities. From the eighth century Tang Dynasty to the twentieth century, Chinese authors have continued their quest to define the family of man.

Volume 2 contains seven classic stories.

Autobiographical in nature, “Passion” by Yuan Chen is the story of a man who wins the love of a woman, only to abandon her.
In “Curly Beard” by Tu Kwang-Ting, when a man vies for power, will he eschew his attempt when he realizes the Fates are not on his side?
In “Wine and Dumplings” by Feng Meng-lung, the most unlikely of men is called to a position of honor.

“Madam D” by Lien Pu is probably the most perfect tale of repressed desire and feminine longing ever written.

In the remarkable fable, “The Wolf of Chungshan” by Hsieh Liang, we understand more fully the maxim “kill or be killed.”

“Spring Silkworms” and “Autumn Harvest” by Mao Tun are two poignant stories that actually form one long narrative about a peasant in modern China whose commitment to honor and devotion to tradition runs headlong into the behemoth of modernism.

Have you heard Volume 1 of Classic Chinese Short Stories? It was also a finalist in the 2003 Audie Awards.

© and (P)2003 Audio Connoisseur