The Story of Han Xiangzi

In this seventeenth-century Chinese novel, Han Xiangzi, best known as one of the Eight Immortals, seeks and achieves immortality and then devotes himself to converting his materialistic, politically ambitious Confucian uncle--Han Yu (a real historical figure)--to Daoism. Written in lively vernacular prose interspersed with poems and songs, the novel takes its readers over vast distances across China, to the heavens, and into the underworld. This is the first translation into any Western language.

Yang Erzeng (fl. 1590-1602) was a writer and publisher from the city of Hangzhou in southeastern China. Philip Clart is professor of Chinese culture and history at Leipzig University.

"The Story of Han Xiangzi is simultaneously religious inspiration and literary play. It will surely attract a broad range of readers: religious seekers, those who are curious about exotic beliefs, and students of world literature. It should be in every substantial Asian studies collection." Robert E. Hegel, author of The Novel in Seventeenth-Century China "Yang's novel is a true treasure trove of Chinese mythological, mystic, and alchemistical traditions, and at the same time a rich anthology of Daoist didactic and mystical verse. Because of its many humorous touches, it remains a good read throughout." Wilt I. Idema, author of The Red Brush: Writing Women in Imperial China