Tales from the Taiwanese
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liked it 3.00 · Rating details · 3 ratings · 2 reviews
Although there are many collections of Chinese folktales, few if any focus specifically on the tales of Taiwan, which have evolved in a tradition separate and distinct from that of mainland China. This wonderful sampling of more than 20 Taiwanese tales will appeal to all ages, illuminating Taiwanese culture and demonstrating Taiwanese values and ethics. In addition, readers will find a brief history of the island, discussion questions, and activity ideas to extend learning and enjoyment, as well as simple Taiwanese recipes, color photos, and traditional drawings. Stories can be read aloud to younger students, while older children will enjoy reading and performing them on their own. This delightful introduction to Taiwanese traditions is a superb educational tool, and a great addition to the storytelling shelf. Grades K-12. (less)
Hardcover, 200 pages
Published August 30th 2004 by Libraries Unlimited
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Sometimes this book seems confused as to the status of China and Taiwan, although it usually talks of them as two separate countries, at least it appears that way, sometimes it talks of Mainland China, but why call it that if they are separate countries? It would be like Iceland talking about mainland Sweden.
And that little intro into Taiwanese history and culture was sugar-coated. Quite sugar-coated. But the main focus is on the stories anyway.
That story about how mount Banping became so small was interesting, but why does this have suggestions for usage in class? In fact, most of these stories have those, but why?
In fact, the story of the poor husband and his to be rich son (the magical black gold bricks) and the suggestions afterwards makes me think this is rather some sort of school book.
Some of these stories either seemed familiar, like the story about how Eider Sister Lintou's spirit, but I could not recall from where or I read similar tales, like "Under the Hala Tree".
In a few places I could not make sense of what was stated. For instance, I tried to find out what "Taiwanese bread known as Turtle Buns" was but I could only find literal buns, or some bread shaped like turtles and I doubt this old story about the different fates of two beggars meant that stuff. And speaking of that tale: You have a tale about the fate of two beggars where the fate of one is to become insanely rich and the other that he has to be a beggar for the rest of his life and the question for class discussion and suggestions for class activities is just about friendship? Is that for kindergarten or what? And address an elder that you don't know as 'Honorable One' in Germany would probably get you weird looks. So, I wonder to whom this was recommended here. Then again, I do wonder whether this was intended for anything outside the USA. The texts never mention any places except China, Taiwan and the USA. It even asks: Do you know some legends about famous figures in United States history?
Nonetheless, several of these stories are engaging, like the origin of the firefly, which is typically sad for this kind of story. Or a bit frustrating: that thief/idiot Wang could have simply swam ashore, unless the guy lives on an island and cannot swim, which makes him a moron. He is an adult, so if he cannot swim, he should learn. And this has the "Chinese" version of the male thunder and female lightning. I wonder whether this inspired the aboriginal mythology. And in it, Lei Mu, Mother of Lightning, married and lived happily with the god who killed her? Even if it was a mistake on his part, that is... problematic. And is it true that the waters of Taiwan's coastal area are saltless as this story here suggests? These stories really made me think sometimes.
Which is sadly not what the comments did for me. In fact, they were annoying and sometimes puzzling. In one case we are told that this story and the saying derived from it, though, do contain a message of caution. ln time, the saying came to mean that whenever the ground rules for a situation are known ahead of time, the parties involved should accept all resulting circumstances without complaint. Then maybe they shouldn't have used a story where the matchmaker outright lied to both parties. Her statements are just a poor excuse.
And of course, some stories made no sense, not really. I mean how on earth was that one story supposed to explain the phrase "a tiger-nosed lion"? It is about a guy who claims to have very good sense of smell and when he manages to get a ladder to heaven and the thundergod mistakes his outcry for a threat he strikes the man down and his corpse becomes tiny ants. So... what has that do with the nose? And I still don't get how the bats bringing Zhi shan luck would result in fires breaking out somewhere else.
And there is one thing: Despite the cover showing and aboriginal woman, the Taiwanese aborigines barely feature here in the stories and none seems to come from them. In fact, 2/3 of the book had to pass to have some aborigines even mentioned.
So, the book has some serious flaws, but it has its good qualities.
(less)
And that little intro into Taiwanese history and culture was sugar-coated. Quite sugar-coated. But the main focus is on the stories anyway.
That story about how mount Banping became so small was interesting, but why does this have suggestions for usage in class? In fact, most of these stories have those, but why?
In fact, the story of the poor husband and his to be rich son (the magical black gold bricks) and the suggestions afterwards makes me think this is rather some sort of school book.
Some of these stories either seemed familiar, like the story about how Eider Sister Lintou's spirit, but I could not recall from where or I read similar tales, like "Under the Hala Tree".
In a few places I could not make sense of what was stated. For instance, I tried to find out what "Taiwanese bread known as Turtle Buns" was but I could only find literal buns, or some bread shaped like turtles and I doubt this old story about the different fates of two beggars meant that stuff. And speaking of that tale: You have a tale about the fate of two beggars where the fate of one is to become insanely rich and the other that he has to be a beggar for the rest of his life and the question for class discussion and suggestions for class activities is just about friendship? Is that for kindergarten or what? And address an elder that you don't know as 'Honorable One' in Germany would probably get you weird looks. So, I wonder to whom this was recommended here. Then again, I do wonder whether this was intended for anything outside the USA. The texts never mention any places except China, Taiwan and the USA. It even asks: Do you know some legends about famous figures in United States history?
Nonetheless, several of these stories are engaging, like the origin of the firefly, which is typically sad for this kind of story. Or a bit frustrating: that thief/idiot Wang could have simply swam ashore, unless the guy lives on an island and cannot swim, which makes him a moron. He is an adult, so if he cannot swim, he should learn. And this has the "Chinese" version of the male thunder and female lightning. I wonder whether this inspired the aboriginal mythology. And in it, Lei Mu, Mother of Lightning, married and lived happily with the god who killed her? Even if it was a mistake on his part, that is... problematic. And is it true that the waters of Taiwan's coastal area are saltless as this story here suggests? These stories really made me think sometimes.
Which is sadly not what the comments did for me. In fact, they were annoying and sometimes puzzling. In one case we are told that this story and the saying derived from it, though, do contain a message of caution. ln time, the saying came to mean that whenever the ground rules for a situation are known ahead of time, the parties involved should accept all resulting circumstances without complaint. Then maybe they shouldn't have used a story where the matchmaker outright lied to both parties. Her statements are just a poor excuse.
And of course, some stories made no sense, not really. I mean how on earth was that one story supposed to explain the phrase "a tiger-nosed lion"? It is about a guy who claims to have very good sense of smell and when he manages to get a ladder to heaven and the thundergod mistakes his outcry for a threat he strikes the man down and his corpse becomes tiny ants. So... what has that do with the nose? And I still don't get how the bats bringing Zhi shan luck would result in fires breaking out somewhere else.
And there is one thing: Despite the cover showing and aboriginal woman, the Taiwanese aborigines barely feature here in the stories and none seems to come from them. In fact, 2/3 of the book had to pass to have some aborigines even mentioned.
So, the book has some serious flaws, but it has its good qualities.
(less)
Sep 20, 2020Nicholas Driscoll rated it liked it
A collection of stories from Taiwan, such as folktales, legends, and humorous stories, compiled in the form of a children’s textbook, with discussion questions and suggested activities after each story. I took my dear time reading (started a year ago), and the stories have their charms and insights. I wish this text was more scholarly rather than a textbook for kids. Even as that, it feels strange. Why does the book end with a bunch of recipes? The recipes too don’t appear to be local dishes really. I didn’t read them closely, though one was a “Mongolian barbecue” which apparently is a thing that actually started in Taiwan.
Anyway, it was fine. Just wanted a little more.
Anyway, it was fine. Just wanted a little more.
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