Monkey: A Journey to the West | David Kherdian | Introduction to Buddhist/Taoist Folk Tales

Monkey: A Journey to the West | David Kherdian | Not what it promises

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Monkey: A Journey ...

	Monkey: A Journey to the West David Kherdian Shambhala, 2005 - 224 pages average customer review:based on 10 reviews view larger image
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Part spiritual pilgrimage, part historical epic, the folk novel Journey to the West , which came to be known as Monkey, is the most popular classic of Asian literature. Originally written in the sixteenth century, it is the story of the adventures of the rogue-trickster Monkey and his encounters with a bizarre cast of characters as he travels to India with the Buddhist pilgrim Tripitaka in search of sacred scriptures. Much more than a picaresque adventure novel, Monkey is a profound allegory of the struggle that must occur before spiritual transformation is possible. David Kherdian's masterful telling brings this classic of Chinese literature to life in a way that is true to the scope and depth of the original.

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Introduction to Buddhist/Taoist Folk Tales

I have never read the whole series of books so I cannot comment on these. I was, however, reasonably impressed with this shortened version. It at least got some of the flavor of the tale of Monkey (read "monkey brain"), who is always impetuous, hot-tempered and greedy, but also perseveres in his spiritual journey with several other characters, including a T'ang monk, a dragon, a water monster, and a pig-like monster (all but the monk in their current form and circumstance because of some transgression.) "Monkey, A Journey to the West" retold by David Kherdian, is a fun book to read, while also carrying the message of possible redemption despite everybody's obvious faults and transgressions.

There were perhaps too many fights (I gather that in the complete work the fights are more spaced, but I imagine they became more prominent because of the abridgement) and perhaps too little emphasis on the actual spiritual journey implied in all of the pilgrims and especially in Monkey (who changes much toward the end). Physically the book covers were also unfortunately made of material that curls easily, making them easily damaged.

Still this was a good introduction to Buddhist/Taoist folk tales and as such I recommend it. If the reader wishes more, than they should acquire the full set.

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Not what it promises

This is a decent telling of the Chinese story, but it doesn't deliver on its own promises: Kherdian says that he includes more episodes and more of the spiritual aspects of the story than are found in the famous Arthur Waley version, but sadly, he does no such thing (especially in a crucial and famous scene toward the end). Kherdian's version is certainly readable and enjoyable, but Waley's is more thorough and includes more of the religious elements of the original.

However, Kherdian's version may be better for younger readers than Waley's as, of the two abridgements, it is the easier to read.

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Monkey...The Facts

This novel depicts the life of a trickster monkey who sets out on a spiritual journey in search of immortality. He is faced with many struggles but eventually he finds the secret he is looking for. Instead of using this new found power in a positive way, Monkey uses it to hurt, manipulate, and decieve others. Although it vividly describes the battles, characters, and settings, "Monkey, Journey to the West" does not give much information on the foundations of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. We only can decipher that one's struggle to spiritual healing and growth is long and arduos so that only those with true dedication and longing in their hearts shall achieve such desires. Monkey represents the humanistic approach combined with our faults of carelessness, selfishness, and restlessness. It allows us to explore our inner self in a comparatively different but similar way such as Monkey. It is a fun read for those who enjoy true fiction.

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reviews: page 1, 2

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