Story 31: A Dwarf

By Pu Songling

Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, commonly known in China as the Liao Zhao, was first published in 1740, although it existed in manuscript form before then. Little is known about the author Pu Songling, except that he completed the lowest (or bachelor’s) degree in the Chinese examinations. Ten years after his graduation, he had not progressed to an advanced degree. Despite his failures in the more advanced competitive examinations, Pu Songling left a cherished manuscript of stories, which for more than 300 years has gained him an enduring place in Chinese literature.

By choosing to publish one story at a time, the publisher hopes to accommodate readers in downloading particular titles of interest, thus saving the trouble of moving through a large and unwieldy electronic document.

If the contents of Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio intrigue you, obtaining a hard copy of the 1908 Second Edition is worth the cost. That edition contains much information not provided in this transcription. Herbert A. Giles’s valuable scholarship can be found not only in the introduction to that edition, but also in the footnotes and annotations that bring some of the book’s more difficult to understand literary allusions to life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Broomhandle Books
• Release date: Apr 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311478290

Pu Songling

Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio is commonly known in China as the Liao Zhao. Although the volume of stories was completed in 1679, it circulated in manuscript only until printed and published in 1740. Since then many editions have appeared in Chinese and many translations have been made into foreign languages. The dates of birth or death for Pu Songling are unknown, but it is known that he reached the lowest (or bachelor’s) degree before age twenty. In 1651, ten years or so after his graduation, he had not progressed to an advanced degree. While it is unfortunate he did not personally progress in his academic standing, it is fortunate he used the time he had to write the tales contained in Strange Stories. Despite his failures in the more advanced competitive examinations, Pu Songling left a cherished manuscript, which for more than 300 years has gained him an enduring place in Chinese literature.

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