Journey to the West

The classic Chinese novel: “Imagine a combination of picaresque novel, fairy tale, fabliau, Mickey Mouse, Davy Crockett, and Pilgrim’s Progress” (The Nation).

Probably the most popular book in the history of the Far East, this classic sixteenth-century novel is a combination of picaresque novel and folk epic that mixes satire, allegory, and history into a rollicking adventure. It is the story of the roguish Monkey and his encounters with major and minor spirits, gods, demigods, demons, ogres, monsters, and fairies. This translation, by the distinguished scholar Arthur Waley, is the first accurate English version; it makes available to the Western reader a faithful reproduction of the spirit and meaning of the original.

“Mr. Waley has done a remarkable job with this translation.” —Helena Kuo, The New York Times

“The irreverent spirit and exuberant vitality of it portraiture . . . make it an entertainment to which Mr. Waley’s witty translation has obviously contributed not a little.” —The Times (London)

“Told with immense gusto, and quite apart from its deeper meaning and wise proverbial sayings it is full of entertainment.” —The Guardian