Explore the Rich World of Chinese Mythology with These 8 Must-Read Books

Chinese mythology is a rich and fascinating topic that offers a glimpse into the culture and traditions of ancient China. From dragons and mythical beasts to gods and goddesses, Chinese mythology is steeped in legend and folklore. Whether you’re a history buff, a mythology enthusiast, or simply curious about other cultures, delving into the world of Chinese mythology can be a rewarding experience. We’ll Explore the Rich World of Chinese Mythology with These 8 Must-Read Books. These books cover a wide range of topics, from ancient works of literature to modern guides, and offer a comprehensive overview of the myths and legends that have shaped Chinese culture for thousands of years.

The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu

“The Grace of Kings” is the first volume in “The Dandelion Dynasty,” a series of epic fantasy novels by Ken Liu. The story is set in a fictional world inspired by Chinese mythology, history, and culture. The novel follows the story of two men, Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu, who become unlikely friends and allies in a rebellion against the ruling empire. Kuni is a charismatic and cunning thief who rises to become a leader of the rebellion, while Mata is a fierce warrior and strategist who becomes the emperor of the new dynasty that is established after the rebellion succeeds.

The Poppy War: A Novel by R.F. Kuang

The Poppy War is a debut novel by R.F. Kuang that blends Chinese history, mythology, and magic to tell a gripping story of war, politics, and sacrifice. The novel follows the journey of Rin, a war orphan who discovers her innate talent for shamanism, a magic system based on Chinese mythology and folklore. Rin’s newfound powers draw her into a deadly conflict that threatens to engulf the nation in a brutal and devastating war. The novel explores the themes of identity, nationalism, and the consequences of violence, offering a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant reading experience. Kuang’s skillful blending of Chinese history and mythology adds depth and richness to the world-building, making “The Poppy War” a standout novel in the fantasy genre. The book is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy, historical fiction, and mythology.

Daughter of the moon goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

To start, I want to introduce one of my top fantasy reads of 2022! Daughter of the Moon Goddess is unique among the books featured on this list because it draws inspiration from a particular Chinese myth, that of the moon goddess Chang’e. The novel serves as a creative continuation of the original legend, centering on the story of Chang’e’s daughter, Xingyin, who does not feature in the original myth. Xingyin’s existence is concealed from the Celestial Emperor, but when she exhibits her newfound powers, the royal family tracks her down at the Moon Palace. In a daring escape, she flees to the Celestial Kingdom and forms a close bond with the prince, Liwei. Years later, Xingyin is still haunted by memories of her mother’s exile to the moon, and sets out on a quest to rescue her.

Monkey King: Journey to the west by Wu Cheng’en

We’ve explored various contemporary works of Chinese mythology, but let’s now turn our attention to a classic. Monkey King is one of the four cornerstones of Chinese mythology, and is arguably the most well-known thanks to popular adaptations like the K-drama A Korean Odyssey. The tale follows Sun Wukong, a shape-shifting character on a quest for immortality. However, when he steals the gods’ elixir from Heaven’s Orchard and drinks it, Buddha punishes him by trapping him under a mountain for five centuries. After serving his sentence, Sun Wukong is granted a chance at redemption. His new mission is to protect a monk named Tripitaka on a perilous 14-year journey.

Jade City: 1 by Fonda Lee

On the island of Kekon, there are two crime syndicates that hold power: the Kaul family and their rival. Kekon is the sole producer of a rare magical jade that endows individuals with superhuman abilities, granted they have the necessary training and heritage.

In the past, the Green Bone clans, a group of honorable warriors donning jade, defended the island from foreign threats. However, in modern times, the Green Bone families, such as the Kauls, are predominantly focused on commerce, construction, and maintaining order in the districts under their protection in a bustling post-war metropolis teeming with foreign money and fast cars.

As tensions between the Kauls and their rivals reach a boiling point, erupting into a violent clan war in the streets, the outcome of this conflict will determine the fate of all Green Bones and the future of Kekon.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Within the valley of Fruitless Mountain resides a young girl by the name of Minli, whose days are spent toiling in the fields and nights listening to her father weave marvelous tales about the Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon. Minli’s mother, weary of their impoverished existence, criticizes him for filling their daughter’s head with nonsense. Nevertheless, Minli believes in these captivating tales and sets off on an extraordinary adventure to locate the Old Man of the Moon and inquire about how her family’s fate can be altered. Along her journey, she encounters a diverse group of characters and mystical creatures, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest.

The Girl with No Face by M.H. Boroson

In 19th century San Francisco, the streets are filled with supernatural entities, but the immigrant community of Chinatown finds an unlikely hero in a young Daoist priestess named Li-lin. Armed with martial arts, spiritual magic, a peachwood sword, and a talking eye spirit, she protects her community from otherworldly threats. When the body of a young girl with flowers growing out of her nose and mouth is brought to the deadhouse under Li-lin’s supervision, she faces her most dangerous task yet. Suspecting Gong Tau, a primitive and dark form of magic, Li-lin embarks on a treacherous journey into a world of ghosts and spirits to uncover the identity of the culprit and their motives. The Girl with No Face immerses readers in a meticulously researched and historically accurate portrayal of Chinese monsters and magic, drawing inspiration from the action-packed cinema of Hong Kong to create an unforgettable tale of historical fantasy and Chinese mythology.

Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio by Pu Songling

The selection of 104 stories from The Strange Tales of Pu Songling (1640-1715) features elegant prose, witty wordplay and subtle charm, revealing a world where things are not always what they seem. Among the stories are a Taoist monk conjuring a magical pear tree, a scholar recounting his past lives, a woman outsmarting a fox-spirit, a child bride giving birth to a thimble-sized baby, a ghostly city appearing out of nowhere, and a heartless daughter-in-law transformed into a pig. Pu Songling’s tales explore humans’ interactions with shape-shifting spirits, supernatural phenomena, haunted buildings, and enchanted objects, expanding the boundaries of human experience and enlightening as they entertain.

The superb translation by John Minford captures the consummate skill and understated humor of the Strange Tales, while his introduction examines Pu Songling’s sources, literary style, and discreet eroticism, and his portrayal of spirits and the supernatural. The edition includes illustrations, a glossary, notes, and further reading.

Also Read: Role of Dragons in Chinese Mythology