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wojevan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Very interesting and spiritual text, even more interesting that it's one of the oldest in the world. Blend of fantasy and religious adventure about Buddhism with cultural folklore too.
thereadingmum's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is exactly how I remember the story of Sun Wu Kong being. It's more a series of vignettes with a loose over-arching storyline.
A mountain lays this stone egg which hatches a monkey. This monkey goes on to wreak mischievous havoc on everything and everyone until finally the goddess of mercy puts a magic ring on his head that contracts when a spell is recited. She tells this to a monk, Tripitaka, and then instructs monkey to accompany Tripitaka on his quest to the west to bring Buddha's sacred scrolls back to China.
The main story is that of this "Journey to the West", which is a book in itself, but adds Monkey's origin story at the beginning so you fully comprehend the extent of his mayhem.
The one thing that really annoyed me was that the narrator, given his name and if he's the actor, his profile on IMDB, being Chinese, couldn't pronounce the Mandarin words properly. It wasn't terrible, but I expected better. He did a great job with the voices and the dramatic element though, which helped me overlook that defect. Perhaps the other version of this narrated by Kevin Shen would have been better.
A mountain lays this stone egg which hatches a monkey. This monkey goes on to wreak mischievous havoc on everything and everyone until finally the goddess of mercy puts a magic ring on his head that contracts when a spell is recited. She tells this to a monk, Tripitaka, and then instructs monkey to accompany Tripitaka on his quest to the west to bring Buddha's sacred scrolls back to China.
The main story is that of this "Journey to the West", which is a book in itself, but adds Monkey's origin story at the beginning so you fully comprehend the extent of his mayhem.
The one thing that really annoyed me was that the narrator, given his name and if he's the actor, his profile on IMDB, being Chinese, couldn't pronounce the Mandarin words properly. It wasn't terrible, but I expected better. He did a great job with the voices and the dramatic element though, which helped me overlook that defect. Perhaps the other version of this narrated by Kevin Shen would have been better.
callieju's review against another edition
5.0
This was hilarious, the monkey is absolutely incredible and his attitude made this book fun to read. the journey itself was so interesting and action packed.
doovdoesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
- The first section of Monkey becoming an unstoppable immortal is fantastic; but the actual Journey to the West seriously ebbs and flows
- Tripitaka stop crying at any possible inconvenience challenge (impossible)
- Still fuming that Sandy doesn't get to do anything despite having the coolest design concept
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Violence
Minor: Religious bigotry and Animal death
d_ckag's review against another edition
3.0
Um livro culturalmente rico e de leitura muito interessante, mesmo nessa versão resumida onde cortes da longa versão original foram feitos. Uma aventura longa com personagens bem definidos e muito criativa para a época, mas que em momentos pode ser repetitiva e cansativa.
dantalion_xi's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant in its own, unique way. Amidst the confused pantheon of old China and the parody of its endless bureaucratic labyrinths, there is a light-hearted story involving redemption and the discovery of one self. But mostly, it's just pure hearted fun.
lizlikesfrogs's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lizzieh96's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25