A Buddhist journey reminscent of Dante's Inferno exploring the illusions of human life, published here in the first new translation in forty years

Often considered the greatest work of classic Korean fiction, The Nine Cloud Dream poses the question: will the life we dream of truly make us happy? A historical novel set in 9th-century Tang China, its wondrous story begins when a young monk living on a sacred Lotus Peak succumbs to the temptation of eight fairy maidens. As punishment for disobeying his master and doubting his Buddhist teachings, the monk is reincarnated as the most ideal of men. On his journey he encounters the eight fairies in human form, each one furthering his journey towards understanding the fleeting value of his good fortune. As his successes build, he comes closer and closer to finally comprehending a fundamental truth of the Buddha's wisdom: that reality and dreams are ultimately indistinguishable.

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

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

Reviews
"Man-Jung's tale is a hypnotic journey, a scholarly, instructive Buddhist bildungsroman set across Tang dynasty China, and in Insu Fenkl's skilled translation, a glimpse into the rich crossroads of religions and society therein."-Publishers Weekly



Book Information
ISBN 9780143131274
Author Kim Man-Jung
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Penguin Classics
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 220g
Dimensions(mm) 194mm * 130mm * 19mm