Excerpts from Three Classical Chinese Novels

Here, Panda Books presents excerpts from three well-known Chiense classical novels.

"The Battle of the Red Cliff" is from The Three Kingdoms written by Luo Guanshong in the late 14th century. A historical novel, it covers the hundred years from 184-280 A.D., describing the rise and fall of the kingdoms of Wei, Shu and Wu, and the political and military struggles waged.

"The Flaming Mountain" is from Pilgrimage to the West, a 16th century novel by Wu Cheng'en. It tells how Monkey and his friends Pigsy and Sandy accompany the monk Tripitaka on his journey westward, vanquishing monsters and facing dangers en route.

"A Journey into Strange Lands" is from Flowers in the Mirror, an early 19th century novel by Li Ruzhen, which satirizes the social mores of that period. Like Gulliver, Li's hero Tang Ao travels to strange lands and sees incredible sights.