The Rise of the Monkey King: A Story in Traditional Chinese and Pinyin, 600 Word Vocabulary Level

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The first book in the 6-volume "Journey to the West" series by Jeff Pepper and Xiao Hui Wang introduces Sun Wukong, the Handsome Monkey King, a celebrated figure in Chinese literature. His legendary bravery, humorous commentary, and quest for immortality have inspired countless adaptations across various media. The full narrative of Sun Wukong's adventures is found in the 16th-century epic "Journey to the West" by Wu Cheng'en, a cornerstone of Chinese literature comparable to Homer's "The Odyssey." This beloved tale blends comic adventure, satire, spiritual insight, and allegory, chronicling the journey of a group of pilgrims seeking enlightenment through cooperation. The story is loosely based on the historical journey of Buddhist monk Xuanzang, who traveled from Chang'an to India in 629 A.D. and faced 81 tribulations to attain Buddhahood. This volume covers the first two chapters, detailing the birth of the stone monkey, his rise to king, pursuit of enlightenment, and his return to protect his subjects from a monster. The retelling remains faithful to the original while using simple language for HSK 3-level learners, with footnotes for new vocabulary. Each page features Chinese characters alongside pinyin to aid understanding. An English version, glossary, and additional study resources are available on the accompanying website, ensuring accessibility for all readers.