中英魏晉南北朝志怪選

　　This book is a good introduction to classical Chinese fictional stories; giving readers a more interesting resource for exploring Chinese customs and culture. It is elaborately comprised of one hundred odd selections from the Wei- Jin, Nan- Bei time frame. The stories’ historical backgrounds concentrate around the 1st century BCE to the 4th century CE, which gives a chronological era of transformation in Chinese history consisting of continuous war, illnesses, famine and homeless hardships forcing people to confront the threat of death and serving as a wake up call enhancing the study of medical treatment. For these reasons, religious and philosophical influences have appeared within the Wei- Jin, Nan- Bei Dynasties’ Zhi Guai fictional stories. Zhi Guai stories on the surface appear as mysterious fantasies. However, the core of these stories consists of perceptions of life and lust, universal curiosity, imaginations of after life, demand for social justice, admiration for the fearless, with a loving relationship between humans and animals. This book contains original text, English translations, and illustrations which can be used for leisure reading or for educational purposes.