Anne Birrell has translated representative narratives drawn from over a hundred classical texts in the course of her work on various aspects of Chinese mythology, and here she introduces a splendid selection especially for the general reader. Lucidly retold using English equivalents for the Chinese names, these lively mythic tales are full of colourful episodes and vivid characters. Helpfully organised by themes and motifs which set them in the context of mythology the world over, these stories are a fascinating treasure trove that has long been inaccessible and unknown to many readers.

Anne Birrell of Clare Hall, University of Cambridge, is the author of Chinese Mythology: An Introduction and has published translations including New Songs from a Jade Terrace, The Classic of Mountains and Seas and Popular Songs and Ballads of Han China.