eb00kie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
louandlife's review against another edition
3.0
I'm glad that I chose to read this book whilst I've been busy with essay writing. It was the perfect book, because it was intriguing enough for me to want to read (and not DNF), but not gripping enough for me to put off studying. It was the perfect time for me to read this because with me being so busy with my essay, it meant that anything I could read for fun would be great. It meant that I really gave this book a chance, and I am glad that I did. This is one of my better liked classics. It sort of reminds me of a video game, where it has loads of little side quests that deviate from the main quest line, and I liked it. It helped me be able to put this book down and study. I also really liked Monkey as a character, not so much in the beginning, but after he accepts his role as Tripitaka's disciple. I didn't really like the other characters, but Monkey is the best character in this book.
In addition to the plot being a bit like a video game, there were times where the pages flew by. It was definitely a first for me for classics. Sometimes it felt like a chore to read this book, but I would say that I enjoyed this book 85% of the time. The ending was anti-climatic though, and a bit of a let down.
This book did remind me of [b:The Story of Hong Gildong|25810328|The Story of Hong Gildong|Unknown|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1445792183s/25810328.jpg|45666333] in some aspects. Maybe because it is also another Asian classic, written around the same time, and has a similar sort of nonsensical/fantasical feel. So if you liked this book, I would recommend that one if you wanted something similar.
Overall, I am glad to be able to say that I have read this book. I would recommend it if you are looking for classics to read that aren't Western in origin. I can't wait to watch the K-drama, Hwayugi, that is based upon this book, and I hope that it has a relatively happy ending like this book.
In addition to the plot being a bit like a video game, there were times where the pages flew by. It was definitely a first for me for classics. Sometimes it felt like a chore to read this book, but I would say that I enjoyed this book 85% of the time. The ending was anti-climatic though, and a bit of a let down.
This book did remind me of [b:The Story of Hong Gildong|25810328|The Story of Hong Gildong|Unknown|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1445792183s/25810328.jpg|45666333] in some aspects. Maybe because it is also another Asian classic, written around the same time, and has a similar sort of nonsensical/fantasical feel. So if you liked this book, I would recommend that one if you wanted something similar.
Overall, I am glad to be able to say that I have read this book. I would recommend it if you are looking for classics to read that aren't Western in origin. I can't wait to watch the K-drama, Hwayugi, that is based upon this book, and I hope that it has a relatively happy ending like this book.
ifpoetshadmerch's review against another edition
3.0
Recently, I have been thinking about the folklores that are told in Western society. I wonder if I should feel guilty for being able to recognize instances where Greek and Roman mythology have been remixed, but not recognizing tokens of the stories that I look like I should know.
For my senior thesis, I wrote a poem about Sun Wukong, using the fraction of the story I was familiar with. Perhaps I should revisit it and see what I would change now that I’ve had the chance to read more about the journey. I’m aware that this translation is only the bare bones of Sun and Co.’s westward trek for enlightenment, but it’s enough to bait the creative in my brain to crack open its lazy eyes. At the very least, this book has provided me with concepts and word banks that are just asking to be included in poems!
Mainly, what I’ve been thinking about is how we’re prone to see ourselves as heroes. Obviously, we’re living in first-person. We sidle up to the protagonist (the good guys!); we recognize the injustices we face.
I think it’s interesting that Sun Wukong is this heroic figure of sorts. He’s super-duper immortal, jumps on clouds, beats everything into submission, shapeshifts, and out pranks and outwits just about everyone he meets. And yet he is arrogant, narcissistic, and primitive in his inability to truly take the form of others, entirely incapable of grasping the effect his actions have on those he comes across. His band of monkeys suffers for years while Sun is seeking new pleasures. Any attempt to teach him a lesson is viewed as an inconceivable injustice against the Monkey King, and his retaliation is exaggerated to unholy degrees. Everyone in Heaven and everyone under Heaven is tormented by Sun, and yet he complains of being victimized. I’m trying to think about what this means I should do for the world, for others. When I think of an elixir, panacea, or sacred scroll to dispel evil, what is it the future I imagine?
For my senior thesis, I wrote a poem about Sun Wukong, using the fraction of the story I was familiar with. Perhaps I should revisit it and see what I would change now that I’ve had the chance to read more about the journey. I’m aware that this translation is only the bare bones of Sun and Co.’s westward trek for enlightenment, but it’s enough to bait the creative in my brain to crack open its lazy eyes. At the very least, this book has provided me with concepts and word banks that are just asking to be included in poems!
Mainly, what I’ve been thinking about is how we’re prone to see ourselves as heroes. Obviously, we’re living in first-person. We sidle up to the protagonist (the good guys!); we recognize the injustices we face.
I think it’s interesting that Sun Wukong is this heroic figure of sorts. He’s super-duper immortal, jumps on clouds, beats everything into submission, shapeshifts, and out pranks and outwits just about everyone he meets. And yet he is arrogant, narcissistic, and primitive in his inability to truly take the form of others, entirely incapable of grasping the effect his actions have on those he comes across. His band of monkeys suffers for years while Sun is seeking new pleasures. Any attempt to teach him a lesson is viewed as an inconceivable injustice against the Monkey King, and his retaliation is exaggerated to unholy degrees. Everyone in Heaven and everyone under Heaven is tormented by Sun, and yet he complains of being victimized. I’m trying to think about what this means I should do for the world, for others. When I think of an elixir, panacea, or sacred scroll to dispel evil, what is it the future I imagine?
reyreypod's review against another edition
4.0
Half myth, half fairy tale, "Monkey" (or, Journey to the West) is an entertaining tale which also held nostalgia for me, from the TV show during my childhood. Never realised how closely the show depicted the actual text...highly recommend if you like classic tales and fantasy!
lauragonzalez's review against another edition
4.0
i did not expect this to be half as hilarious as it is, especially when it's so old??? i just can't get over this man. and for a book that's considered a classic, it felt like a light, fun read to me. i mean, it's a lot to think about it, but it's not at the same time. idk i don't think i've ever enjoyed an assigned book this much but wow i'm rly happy our teacher picked it n__n
cinnamonfox's review against another edition
5.0
Un călugăr este trimis în India pentru a aduce în China scrierile sacre de la însuși Buddha. În marea sa călătorie, călugărului îi trimit zeii patru ucenici care să-l apere și să se căiască pentru fărădelegerile din viața lor. Regele maimuțelor, un porc mistreț, un tigru și un dragon formează suita călugărului, învățând pe parcursul călătoriei ce este smerenia, bunătatea, camaraderia.
Foarte frumoasă cartea, chiar dacă o parte din acțiune pare repetitivă. Dacă vă place Dragon Ball Z și tot ce înseamnă media unde accentul se pune pe călătorie - bătălie cu inamici puternici - găsirea unor prieteni de nădejde pe parcurs - povețe și îndemnuri să fii mai bun, cartea aceasta, un adevărat clasic, este pentru voi.
Foarte frumoasă cartea, chiar dacă o parte din acțiune pare repetitivă. Dacă vă place Dragon Ball Z și tot ce înseamnă media unde accentul se pune pe călătorie - bătălie cu inamici puternici - găsirea unor prieteni de nădejde pe parcurs - povețe și îndemnuri să fii mai bun, cartea aceasta, un adevărat clasic, este pentru voi.
wintermute314's review against another edition
4.0
This book is about the quest of a monk to go to India to bring some buddhist scriptures to China. The book is a translation of some of the chapters of "Journey to the west" by Cheng-en Wu which is much longer. The translator opted not to shorten the chapters but to omit chapters. Since the book consists of many stories or separate adventures, I wouldn't have noticed is had the translator not mentioned this in the foreword.
The monkey king is to help monk on his quest and actually he is the main subject of the book. It is very humorously written and the English translation is very literary (although I cannot vouch for the correctness of the translation since I do not read Chinese).
There is a lot of (eastern) magic in the book and the descriptions of the unruly Monkey and life in the heavens where Lao Tse, Dragon Kings, Bodhisattva's and other "gods" live are very humorous.
The book is a classic in Chinese literature and I read it while on a trip in China. Everybody in China seemed to know this book, and on temples, bridges or drum towers often sceneries from the book where depicted.
This book was fun to read and I can definitely advice it to anyone wanting to know more about Chinese culture.
The monkey king is to help monk on his quest and actually he is the main subject of the book. It is very humorously written and the English translation is very literary (although I cannot vouch for the correctness of the translation since I do not read Chinese).
There is a lot of (eastern) magic in the book and the descriptions of the unruly Monkey and life in the heavens where Lao Tse, Dragon Kings, Bodhisattva's and other "gods" live are very humorous.
The book is a classic in Chinese literature and I read it while on a trip in China. Everybody in China seemed to know this book, and on temples, bridges or drum towers often sceneries from the book where depicted.
This book was fun to read and I can definitely advice it to anyone wanting to know more about Chinese culture.
lukaseichmann's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ben85ee7's review against another edition
3.0
Taste old monkey's cudgel. Almost peed myself laughing when Monkey, Pigsy and Sandy gave 'holy water' to a bunch of genocidal Taoist Immortals.
More...