Fantasy in the grotto : otherworldly adventures in classical Chinese literature / by Timothy Wai Keung Chan.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Chan, Timothy Wai Keung, author.

Series:

Sinica Leidensia ; 0169-9563 v. 169.

Sinica Leidensia, 0169-9563 ; volume 169

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Fantasy literature, Chinese--History and criticism.

Fantasy literature, Chinese.

Love in literature.

Space and time in literature.

Liu, Yiqing, 403-444--Influence.

Liu, Yiqing.

Genre:

Literary criticism.

Physical Description:

xvi, 257 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, [2025]

Summary:

"In a fourth-century tale, two farmers get lost in a pleasure grotto and unwittingly sever their fragile ties with the mortal world. Surprisingly, this simple cautionary fantasy spawned a complex literary tradition. The narrative instability of the tale was part of its snowballing appeal. Early in the tale's journey through literary history, the girls met by the farmers morphed into female entertainers, Daoist priestesses, and spiritual transcendents. This malleability offered a wealth of artistic possibilities. The feature of "time dilation" and its associated dangers was also to become a flexible literary instrument and a defining feature of grotto fantasy literature"-- Provided by publisher.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 223-248) and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Chan, Timothy Wai Keung. Fantasy in the grotto

ISBN:

9789004720374

9004720375

OCLC:

1456588051