Top 10 works of Chinese literature
- By Elaine Duan
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E-mail China.org.cn, December 1, 2010
Journey to the West (simplified Chinese: 西游记; pinyin: Xī Yóu Jì)
Journey to the West was written by Wu Cheng'en in the 1570s and is based on the epic journey of the Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang (602 – 664) to India to collect Buddhist scriptures.
The novel revolves around Xuanzang's mythical disciple - the impetuous and powerful Monkey King, Sun Wukong - who captures readers' hearts with his bold, rebellious and mischievous personality. Wu Cheng'en's version of the story is a thinly-disguised satire on Chinese society.
Tales from the Journey to the West are part of growing up for all children in China and throughout East Asia. One reason for the novel's enduring popularity is that it works on multiple levels: it is an adventure story, a source of spiritual insight, and an extended allegory in which the group of pilgrims journeying toward India stands for the individual journeying toward enlightenment. An abridged translation by Arthur Waley, called Monkey, is regarded as one of the best English translations. There is also an excellent complete version in three volumes by Professor William Jenner.
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