The Journey to the West, Revised Edition, Volume 1

By: Anthony C. Yu

Narrated by: Brian Nishii

Listen to the legendary Chinese classic that inspired the hit game Black Myth: Wukong!

Anthony C. Yu’s translation of The Journey to the West, initially published in 1983, introduced English-speaking audiences to the classic Chinese novel in its entirety for the first time. Written in the sixteenth century, The Journey to the West tells the story of the fourteen-year pilgrimage of the monk Xuanzang, one of China’s most famous religious heroes, and his three supernatural disciples, in search of Buddhist scriptures. Throughout his journey, Xuanzang fights demons who wish to eat him, communes with spirits, and traverses a land riddled with a multitude of obstacles, both real and fantastical. An adventure rich with danger and excitement, this seminal work of the Chinese literary canon is by turns allegory, satire, and fantasy.

With over a hundred chapters written in both prose and poetry, The Journey to the West has always been a complicated and difficult text to render in English while preserving the lyricism of its language and the content of its plot. But Yu has successfully taken on the task, and in this new edition, he has made his translations even more accurate and accessible. The explanatory notes are updated and augmented, and Yu has added new material to his introduction, based on his original research as well as on the newest literary criticism and scholarship on Chinese religious traditions. He has also modernized the transliterations included in each volume, using the now-standard Hanyu Pinyin romanization system. Perhaps most important, Yu has made changes to the translation itself in order to make it as precise as possible.

One of the great works of Chinese literature, The Journey to the West is not only invaluable to scholars of Eastern religion and literature, but, in Yu’s elegant rendering, also a delight for anyone.

This audiobook is expertly read by Brian Nishii, with audio engineering by Transient Audio. It was produced and published by Echo Point Books & Media, an independent bookseller in Brattleboro, Vermont.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2013 Anthony C. Yu (P)2025 Echo Point Books & Media, LLC

A real accomplishment

It’s a remarkable feat that a work this long and complicated was rendered so well as an audiobook. Thanks to all involved.

The very best stories, ... !!!

A masterpiece of creativity and imagination, this is one of the Four Great Classical Chinese Novels. The translation is exceptionally well done, and the narrator delivers an outstanding performance that brings the story vividly to life.

Been waiting for this for years, can't wait for the other volumes to be released

I've been waiting for an English unabridged journey to the west for years. I'm glad it is this edition. Even better that it is one of my favorite audio book narrators (I love this Narrator's version of Musashi). I hope remaining volumes are recorded and released fairly soon.

INTERESTING

This is an interesting story.
I had started it some time ago, but then was not interested in continuing.
Now, however, I am glad I started the book anew and will finish the other volumes.
It is an old story and well worth reading.
Of course, Brian Nishii, as the narrator,is unsurpassed.
My thanks to all involved, JK.

Best version of Journey To The West

No doubt the best and most accurate English translation. And the narrator is fire. I’m exited to check out volume two.