"Strange Stories From a Chinese Studio, volume 1" is a collection of captivating and mysterious tales that delve into the supernatural world of Chinese folklore. Each story is beautifully written, with intricate details and vivid descriptions that transport the reader to a different time and place.

The characters in these stories are richly developed, each with their own unique quirks and personalities. From ghosts and demons to mortals and immortals, the variety of characters adds depth and complexity to the overall narrative.

The themes explored in this collection are thought-provoking and often explore the consequences of greed, jealousy, and desire. The stories offer valuable lessons about morality and the consequences of one's actions, making them both entertaining and meaningful.

Overall, "Strange Stories From a Chinese Studio, volume 1" is a captivating read that will enchant readers with its magical and otherworldly tales. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Chinese folklore and supernatural stories.

Book Description:
"Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" is a collection of nearly five hundred mostly supernatural tales written by Pu Songling during the early Qing Dynasty. It was written in Classical Chinese rather than Vernacular Chinese. Pu is believed to have completed the majority of the tales sometime in 1679, though he could have added entries as late as 1707. He borrows from a folk tradition of oral storytelling to put to paper a series of captivating, colorful stories, where the boundary between reality and the odd or fantastic is blurred. The cast of characters includes vixen spirits, ghosts, scholars, court officials, Taoist exorcists and beasts. Moral purposes are often inverted between humans and the supposedly degenerate ghosts or spirits, resulting in a satirical edge to some of the stories. Ghosts and spirits are often bold and trustworthy, while humans are on the other hand weak, indecisive and easily manipulated, reflecting the author's own disillusionment with his society. In this project, volunteers read from Volume 1 of Herbert Giles' English translation of these classic stories.