Journey To The West

Author: Wu Chengen (c. 1500-1582)

Translator: W. J. F. Jenner

Published: Foreign Language Press (2007 printing)

Bought from: Book Depository

Introduction

Journey to the West, together with Three Kingdoms, Water Margin (Outlaws of the Marsh) and Dream of the Red Chamber, are considered the four great classical novels of Chinese literature. Journey to the West, like Three Kingdoms, is based on real life events but has more of the supernatural and humour thrown in.

The story is based on the travels of a Buddhist monk named Xuanzang (c. 602-664). He lived during the Tang dynasty. His 19-year journey to India was documented by a disciple in 646. Over the years, the story evolved. It is generally accepted that Journey to the West as we now know it was written during the Ming Dynasty by Wu Cheng’en. It is not known exactly when he wrote it but it was first published in print in the 1590s.

What is it about?

Journey to the West chronicles the adventures of the main characters on their to obtain Buddhist scriptures in India. The central character is Sanzang, a monk picked by the Boddhisattva Guan Ying for the mission. He is accompanied on his journey by 3 disciples:

- Monkey (Sun Wukong). He is cunning, resourceful and loyal. He is prone to violence when he gets angry. Which is often! His main weapon is the famous ruyi jingu bang, a magical rod that can shrink down to the size of a needle and expand up to gigantic proportions.

- Pig (Zhu Bajie). His insatiable greed and lust often lands the pilgrims (especially Sanzang) in trouble. 

- Friar Sandy (Sha Wujing). Compared to the other two, Sandy is obedient and level-headed.

The story is told over 100 chapters. Chapters 1-7 are essentially an origin story for Sun Wukong. In Chapters 8-12 sets out the reason for the eponymous journey. Chapters 13-22 tell of how each disciple come to join Sanzang in his pilgrimage. The rest of the novel narrates the many adventures Sanzang and his disciples on their journey.

Most of the adventures follow a set pattern: Wukong is lured or goes away. Sanzang, always too trusting and naive, falls into traps set by demons who want to either eat his flesh or bed him (because that would make them immortal). Wukong returns and beats the hell out of the demons and saves Sanzang. Sometimes, a deity or two lend a helping hand in quelling the demons.

What about the book?

The four volumes come in a simple and not especially sturdy box. The publishers could have done with better proof readers or even a spell check utility - there are several spelling errors. This is annoying but does not detract too much from the overall reading pleasure. The paper quality is extremely poor - so thin you could see the words from the side of a page. There are a number of illustrations (not very good quality, no description).

Finally ...

I do not see myself reading this again. Except maybe Chapters 1-7 (Sun Wukong's origin story). The actual adventures on the journey (from Chapters 23 onwards) are just a little repetitive. Maybe an abridged version would be better.