Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, Vol. 2 (of 2)

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

43628

Title

Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, Vol. 2 (of 2)

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Herbert A. Giles translates the second volume of Pu Songling's classic collection of supernatural tales. This edition features a vivid story of a handsome Chinese youth who, after being shipwrecked, discovers a bizarre kingdom where beauty dictates social status. Through wit and performance, he navigates this strange society, only to face the consequences of his deception upon returning to the human world.

Summary up to 500 words

In the tale "The Lo-ch'a Country and the Sea-Market" from *Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio*, the narrative follows Ma Chun, a handsome young man from China who is shipwrecked and washes ashore in the Lo-ch'a Country. In this realm, social rank and fortune are determined strictly by physical beauty; the most beautiful individuals hold high office, while the ugly are left to poverty. Upon arrival, Ma is initially feared as a demon by the locals due to his striking appearance. However, he quickly turns their fear to his advantage, feasting on the food they abandon in terror. Ma travels to the capital, where he witnesses the grotesque reality of the Lo-ch'a court. Officials range from a Prime Minister with drooping ears and bamboo-like eyelashes to lower-ranking functionaries who are merely less hideous. Despite the locals' initial terror, Ma eventually gains an audience with the King through the assistance of an elderly man who has traveled to China. During a banquet, Ma reveals his true talents as a musician and actor. To secure his position, he smears his face with coal dust and performs the role of the famous general Chang Fei, captivating the court with his beauty and artistry. The King, charmed, appoints him a privy councillor. However, the story takes a dark turn as Ma's fellow officials eventually discover his secret: his face is painted, and he is merely an actor. The court becomes filled with whispers and avoidance, making his position unbearable. Refusing to resign, Ma eventually requests sick leave and returns to China. The narrative serves as a sharp critique of hypocrisy and the arbitrary nature of social status based on superficial appearance. It highlights the fragility of reputation built on deception and contrasts the absurd values of the Lo-ch'a court with the more grounded, albeit corrupt, realities of the human world. Ultimately, the tale warns that false pretenses are inevitably exposed, leading to the downfall of those who rely on them for success.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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2026-07-07 20:06 UTC

Categories

• Short Stories
• Fiction