FROM THE PUBLISHER

Probably the most popular book in the history of the Far East, this classic combination of picaresque novel and folk epic mixes satire, allegory, and history into a rollicking tale. It is the story of the rougish 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.

FROM THE CRITICS

The Nation

"There is nothing quite like "Monkey" in Western literature. Imagine a combination of picaresque novel, fairy tale, fabliau, Mickey Mouse, Davy Crockett, and Pilgrim's Progress; and then imagine if you can all these elements welded into an artistic whole so that no matter how fantastic the adventure or how enigmatic the allegory, the characterization and meaning remain always human and realizable."

The Times (London)

"The irreverent spirit and exuberant vitality of its portraiture... make it an entertainment to which Mr. Waley's witty translation has obviously contributed not a little."

Helena Kuo

"Mr. Waley has done a remarkable job with this translation." -- The New York Times

Manchester Guardian