The Dragon Daughter and Other Lin Lan Fairy Tales

The Dragon Daughter and Other Lin Lan Fairy Tales is a collection of forty-two magical Chinese tales, selected from over a thousand published in the early twentieth century under the pseudonyms Lin Lan and Lady Lin Lan. Combining traditional oral Chinese narratives with elements from the West, the stories explore themes of love, fate, and transformation. The collection includes an introduction providing historical and social context and appendixes with information on tale types and biographies of the writers and contributors.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 08 March 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The Dragon Daughter and Other Lin Lan Fairy Tales is a delightful collection of forty-two magical Chinese tales, most appearing for the first time in English. These stories have been carefully selected from more than a thousand originally published in the early twentieth century under the pseudonyms Lin Lan and Lady Lin Lan—previously unknown in the West and now acclaimed as the Brothers Grimm of China. The birth of the tales began in 1924, when one author, Li Xiaofeng, published a set of literary stories under the Lin Lan pen name, an alias that would eventually be shared by an editorial team. Together, this group gathered fairy tales (tonghua) from rural regions across China. Combining traditional oral Chinese narratives with elements from the West, the selections in this collection represent different themes and genres—from folk legends to comic tales. Characters fall for fairies, experience predestined love, and have love/hate relationships with siblings. Garden snails and snakes transform into cooking girls, and dragon daughters construct houses. An introduction offers historical and social context for understanding the role that the Lin Lan stories played in modern China. Appendixes include information on tale types and biographies of the writers and contributors.

The Dragon Daughter and Other Lin Lan Fairy Tales is a captivating testament to the power of storytelling. It showcases the rich cultural heritage of China and the timeless themes that resonate with readers of all ages. The collection offers a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people and their extraordinary adventures, providing a window into the world of Chinese folklore and mythology. Whether you are a fan of fairy tales or simply seeking to explore the rich cultural heritage of China, The Dragon Daughter and Other Lin Lan Fairy Tales is a must-read.

Weight: 288g
Dimension: 140 x 198 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691214412