
As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, Menrva Books earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Here are Dan-Gun, the first emperor, whose mother was a bear; Shim Chung, who sacrificed herself to the sea to restore her father's sight, and the magistrate who tried to steal the Dragon King's daughter. The traditional Korean tales in this collection are full of amazing events and characters typical of the Far Eastern folklore. Sad, happy, romantic, and funny, together these tales bring vividly to life the magic of Korea.
This collection of traditional Korean narratives explores the intersection of human morality and the supernatural through a series of foundational myths and legends. The protagonist roles shift across these stories, ranging from legendary emperors and filial daughters to mythical figures like the Dragon King. These narratives operate within a framework of oral tradition, utilizing magical realism and moral allegory to define the cultural values of the region. The stories are presented as a curated anthology, maintaining the structural integrity of classic folklore while adapting the prose for a contemporary audience.
Readers frequently highlight the accessibility of these tales, noting that the collection serves as an effective entry point for those unfamiliar with Korean mythology. Discussion often centers on the balance between the whimsical nature of the folklore and the underlying serious themes of duty and honor. Critics observe that the pacing remains consistent with traditional storytelling, allowing the reader to engage with each myth as a self-contained unit. The atmosphere is consistently described as evocative, successfully capturing the essence of Far Eastern narrative traditions without becoming overly academic or dense.
Page Count:
144
Publication Date:
2000-12-07
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0195216733
ISBN-13:
9780195216738
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!