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benthewriter's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
caidyn's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.5
egretsworld's review
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
desertangler's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
In general a very boring story.
theeuphoriczat's review against another edition
4.0
The Nine Cloud Dream (Kuuumong) is a book that I have wanted to read since Uhm Jung Hwa 2016 album 'The Cloud Dream of the Nine: Love Story of a Girl), so I am really glad that i finally read it.
It follows Hsing-Chen who is a monk under the tutelage of his master Liu-kuan on Lotus Peak. One day he breaks the rules, drinks and lusts after some fairies. As punishment his master banished him to the mortal realm where he is reincarnated has Shao-yu. Shao-yu is constantly referred to as superior man, and he was. At a young age he passed the civil exams and he quickly rose up the ranks until he became prime minister and confidant of the King. While achievely all these lofty heights, women were falling for him, including the princesses. In total he had 2 wives and 6 concubines (they are the 8 fairies who were also banished). He retires in old age with lots of children and respect from the nation.
Then one day a monk appears claiming to know him and have lived with him for 10 years. As the monk clears the 'dust' Shao-yu wakes to find himself as Hsing-chen in a small empty monk room.
The question is, which is the dream? or is there even a dream? "The Buddha said a man's body is a transitory illusion", so maybe it was all an illusion?
Some call it an idealised romance, others a lesson on virtue and mindfulness. I think of it as the illusion of living and the sometimes fruitless journey we might embark upon for enlightenment. It reminds me a lot of Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha.
By the way, why was everyone a bloody poet in this book. I guess love will do that to you. I mean this man was carrying a poem that a young girl wrote for him when he was 15. I call that dedication and love. That should have given it away, that this was a man's dream.
Anyways, I thought it was a great and enlightening read. I am sure it would have been revolutionary in its time. It is also possible that some of the brilliance that Chinese and Korean readers see in this book might also have been lost in translation.
It follows Hsing-Chen who is a monk under the tutelage of his master Liu-kuan on Lotus Peak. One day he breaks the rules, drinks and lusts after some fairies. As punishment his master banished him to the mortal realm where he is reincarnated has Shao-yu. Shao-yu is constantly referred to as superior man, and he was. At a young age he passed the civil exams and he quickly rose up the ranks until he became prime minister and confidant of the King. While achievely all these lofty heights, women were falling for him, including the princesses. In total he had 2 wives and 6 concubines (they are the 8 fairies who were also banished). He retires in old age with lots of children and respect from the nation.
Then one day a monk appears claiming to know him and have lived with him for 10 years. As the monk clears the 'dust' Shao-yu wakes to find himself as Hsing-chen in a small empty monk room.
The question is, which is the dream? or is there even a dream? "The Buddha said a man's body is a transitory illusion", so maybe it was all an illusion?
Some call it an idealised romance, others a lesson on virtue and mindfulness. I think of it as the illusion of living and the sometimes fruitless journey we might embark upon for enlightenment. It reminds me a lot of Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha.
By the way, why was everyone a bloody poet in this book. I guess love will do that to you. I mean this man was carrying a poem that a young girl wrote for him when he was 15. I call that dedication and love. That should have given it away, that this was a man's dream.
Anyways, I thought it was a great and enlightening read. I am sure it would have been revolutionary in its time. It is also possible that some of the brilliance that Chinese and Korean readers see in this book might also have been lost in translation.
rhysciar's review against another edition
The slump. I think that was it. I just don't care about this book, and I'm suffering right now. :(
ginbottle's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
The Nine Cloud Dream is a magnificent and imaginative onion of a novel to be enjoyed on many levels and to be unpacked over many readings.
For those of us living in a world of illusion and delusion this book is a stunning exploration of the nature of reality all the way from seventeenth century Korea.
For those of us living in a world of illusion and delusion this book is a stunning exploration of the nature of reality all the way from seventeenth century Korea.
ceri124's review against another edition
3.0
3.5*
Out of all the Korean classics I've read, this is definitely one of the more confusing ones for me in terms of fully grasping the story early on, however, it is still an interesting read. It explores many magical/mystical elements making the book feel like its a dream, the religious elements are some of my favourites as I do love Buddhism in terms of its teachings and ideology
Out of all the Korean classics I've read, this is definitely one of the more confusing ones for me in terms of fully grasping the story early on, however, it is still an interesting read. It explores many magical/mystical elements making the book feel like its a dream, the religious elements are some of my favourites as I do love Buddhism in terms of its teachings and ideology
cottia's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
guitarpotato's review against another edition
5.0
This was so incredibly fun to read. A young monk reincarnates as a successful man who receives high honors and gets all the ladies. The story is filled with funny (from today’s perspective at least) drama and although it was quite predictable I was still always curious enough to eagerly read the next chapter and see how the novel plays out. The story, playing in the Tang Dynasty frequently mentions and alludes to historical anecdotes as well as to daoist, buddhist and confucian philosophies. Fenkel’s translation includes end-notes which help to explain parts which may be unfamiliar to the reader. It also features a thorough introduction to the novel itself. These additions definitely made the reading experience even more enjoyable.