The Chinese Fairy Book

The Chinese Fairy Book features 74 Chinese folk tales divided into categories. The sections feature: Nursery Fairy Tales, Legends of the Gods, Tales of Saints and Magicians, Nature and Animal Tales, Ghost Stories, Historic Fairy Tales, and Literary Fairy Tales. The tales contained in the collection range from the fantastical to the religious, and take place centuries ago. Edited by Dr. Richard Wilhelm, The Chinese Fairy Book was published in 1921.

Photograph of Richard Wilhelm. Artist unknown.

Wilhelm was a German sinologist (studier of China), and translated multiple philosophical works from China. He resided in China for 25 years, and fell in love with the country, giving the West one of the first views of Chinese literature. He has been credited as having the most influence on sharing the spirituality of Asia to the West, and was the founder of the China Institute. He died in 1930, but up to the end, he focused on promoting the culture, religion and heritage of China with all.

Many of the books’ Chinese folktales and fairy tales are available in audiobook in the Fairytalez Audio App for Apple and Android devices.