I had heard about this story from various sources, and so was excited to find this in the 1001-Library.

This is the journey of the monk Xuánzàng who is sent to the West for Buddhist scrolls to bring back to Chang'an (modern day Xian). The journey is full of obstacles, traps and dangers that the travelling band must come through to reach the West.

Xuánzàng's story starts in the second part of the book, from his birth, surrounded by tragedy, to becoming a monk, to being chosen as the Tang Emperor's representive to go to the West. He is a pure man, strictly following the rules, not drinking, not eating meat, not going with women. He is, through the very nature of his insular upbringing, a rather naive man, and it is this naivity that gets him into trouble at times.

The titular monkey is the protagonist of the first part of the book, and, I would argue, the most entertaining character, as we see him evolve, through fair means and foul, from a monkey born of stone, to king of his troop, to challenging the gods for recognition. No one gets away with making the gods lose face, and the Monkey King is punished, and he ends up joining the Monk on his trip west. He doesn't always willingly help the monk, indeed the Bodhisattva often has to check him, like with the band which tightens around his head when he does wrong. He is, however, an invaluable member of the group, he is often the first to see through the Bodhisattva's tests and it is his wiles that many a time saves the monk from disaster. His downfall is his arrogance and acting before thinking, sometimes causing conflict when it was not necessary. I found it easier to like the Monkey, probably because he was the most human, he actively goes after what he wants, and not even the gods can hold him back. The Monk, however, is rather more difficult to like, it is always more difficult to like someone who is so good, as they remind you of your own failings. He can also be rather pathetic, often paralised while the others get him out of another tricky situation.

The third member is Zhū Bājiè, an immortal whose punishment causes him to be reborn part pig, part human. A strong character, who helps the Monkey King in keeping the monk safe. He is easily tempted by the (few) female characters along the journey.

The final traveller is Sha Wujing, again another fallen immortal. He is the quietest member of the group, and does not have the powers of the previous two.

The book is not only a good story, but is also about religion, or should that be religions. As I knew very little about Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism, I found the footnotes very helpful. The writer is talking about the blend of these religions in China, with Buddism seen as the most important. There are episodes in the story which discusses, compares, and even pits the religions against each other, with Buddhism coming out on top. This is not a religious tract, and readers with no interest in this side to the narrative will not be put off, as it is still a great story well-told. For me, as an introduction to the three religions, it has inspired me to find out more, as well as giving me cause to reflect on my own values.

Conspicuous by their absence are women, apart from Guan Yin and the monk's mother, there are few women in this book. Unsurprising given the time it was written, but still rather obvious to the modern reader.

The mixture of fact and fiction really makes this book.
This is the abridged version, but the translator lets you know when he has taken parts out. As a reader, the cuts do not interrupt the flow of the narrative. The book is written in a mixture of prose and poetry, the latter really helping to give the story more of an atmosphere. The structure of the book, with its different episodes really makes it possible to hear it being told. The book also works as a window into Chinese culture, with many references to modern sayings, historical figures and more.

This is a book which is easy to recommend, first to those interested in religion in China, secondly to sinophiles, but, perhaps most importantly, for those wanting to read a good story full of colour, drama and great characters. ( )