The Nine Cloud Dream, Kim Manjung
The Nine Cloud Dream, Kim Manjung
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The Nine Cloud Dream

Author: Kim Man-jung, Heinz Insu Fenkl

Narrator: David Shih

Unabridged: 7 hr 58 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 02/12/2019


Synopsis

Korea's most prized literary masterpiece: a Buddhist journey questioning the illusions of human life—presented in a vivid new translation by PEN/Hemingway finalist Heinz Insu Fenkl.

Often considered the highest achievement in Korean fiction, The Nine Cloud Dream poses the question: Will the life we dream of truly make us happy? Written in 17th-century Korea, this classic novel's wondrous story begins when a young monk living on a sacred Lotus Peak in China succumbs to the temptation of eight fairy maidens. For doubting his master's Buddhist teachings, the monk is forced to endure a strange punishment: reincarnation as the most ideal of men.

On his journey through this new life full of material, martial, and sensual accomplishments beyond his wildest dreams, he encounters the eight fairies in human form, each one furthering his path towards understanding the fleeting value of his good fortune. As his successes grow, he comes closer and closer to finally comprehending the fundamental truths of the Buddha’s teachings. Like Hesse’s Siddhartha, The Nine Cloud Dream is an unforgettable tale that explores the meaning of a good life and the virtue of living simply with mindfulness.

About Kim Man-jung

Kim Man-Jung (1637-1692) is generally accepted as the author of The Nine Cloud Dream (Kuunmong), often considered the greatest classic Korean novel. He is said to have composed it in exile as a comfort to his mother. A member of the yangban (ruling class) literati, Kim Man-Jung rose to become the head of the Confucian Academy. His other works include The Record of Lady Sa's Journey South (Sassi Namjeongg).


Reviews

Goodreads review by Sreena on February 18, 2024

Seek genuine happiness, not fleeting pleasures! That's my takeway from reading this wonderful classic. Shao-Yu's experiences resonated deeply with my own contemplations about happiness, something I used to think a lot about. The book seems to suggest that true happiness cannot be found in external so......more

Goodreads review by Paul on July 14, 2019

The 17th century novel 구운몽 by Kim Man-jung is one of the classics of Korea literature, alongside The Story of Hong Gildong, which was also the subject of a recent retranslation published by Penguin Classics. At face value Nine Cloud Dream is a rather simple tale, a historical fantasy set in the 9th......more

Goodreads review by Vishy on March 12, 2021

I discovered 'The Nine Cloud Dream' by Kim Man-Jung recently and just finished reading it. Hsing-chen is the favourite disciple of the Buddhist monk Liu-kuan. One day his master is angry with him because he feels that Hsing-chen has strayed from a monk's path (because of an episode involving fairies)......more