• Laozi's Dao De Jing

  • A Plain Translation
  • By: Ken Liu
  • Narrated by: BD Wong
  • Length: 3 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (69 ratings)

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Laozi's Dao De Jing

By: Ken Liu
Narrated by: BD Wong
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Publisher's summary

Introducing a new translation of Laozi’s classic work that makes the intimidating approachable and the complex comprehensible.

Translated by best-selling author Ken Liu and read by acclaimed actor B.D. Wong, this new take on the Dao De Jing speaks directly to the sensibilities of a modern audience. Liu dispenses with footnotes and the granular details of academic debate in favor of presenting Laozi’s invaluable writing as clearly and colorfully as possible.

For those familiar with Daoist philosophy, Liu’s Dao De Jing provides a streamlined text and fresh interpretation from a veteran translator. For newcomers, Liu unpacks Laozi’s parables and meaning-rich language with an eye toward the work’s illuminating power.

The Dao De Jing has captivated thinkers for thousands of years. Now, Ken Liu’s accessible prose makes it accessible to scholars and neophytes alike.

©2023 Ken Liu (P)2023 Audible Originals, LLC.

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Publisher's summary

Introducing a new translation of Laozi’s classic work that makes the intimidating approachable and the complex comprehensible.

Translated by best-selling author Ken Liu and read by acclaimed actor B.D. Wong, this new take on the Dao De Jing speaks directly to the sensibilities of a modern audience. Liu dispenses with footnotes and the granular details of academic debate in favor of presenting Laozi’s invaluable writing as clearly and colorfully as possible.

For those familiar with Daoist philosophy, Liu’s Dao De Jing provides a streamlined text and fresh interpretation from a veteran translator. For newcomers, Liu unpacks Laozi’s parables and meaning-rich language with an eye toward the work’s illuminating power.

The Dao De Jing has captivated thinkers for thousands of years. Now, Ken Liu’s accessible prose makes it accessible to scholars and neophytes alike.

©2023 Ken Liu (P)2023 Audible Originals, LLC.

About the Performer

Films include Bird Box, The Normal Heart, Focus, Stay, Mulan (1 & 2), The Salton Sea, Executive Decison, Seven Years In Tibet, Father Of The Bride (1 & 2), The Freshman, and four films with the word "Jurassic" in the title, including Jurassic World Dominion. He received the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Theater World, Clarence Derwent, and Tony Awards for his Broadway debut in M. Butterfly—an achievement not yet duplicated by another actor for the same role. He appeared as FBI Forensic Psychiatrist George Huang for 11 seasons on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, prison chaplain Ray Mukada on HBO's Oz, Whiterose in Mr. Robot (for which he received Emmy and Critic’s Choice nominations), Prof. Hugo Strange in Gotham, Baldwin Pennypacker in Amerian Horror Story: Apocalpyse, and played older brother Stuart Kim in America's first Asian American family on Margaret Cho's All-American Girl. Along with directing an episode, BD appears as Nora's chill Dad, Wally, in Comedy Central’s Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens. He recently completed shooting the new HBO Max series, The Girls on The Bus and will be seen in the upcoming Netflix film, Heart of Stone. Other Broadway includes the revivals of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown and Pacific Overtures. Other theater includes The Great Leap (Atlantic Theater, A.C.T), The Orphan Of Zhao (A.C.T., La Jolla Playhouse), Herringbone (American Music Theater Festival, Williamstown Theatre Festival, McCarter Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse). He Directed the World Premiere of Mr. Holland's Opus,the new musical (which he has co-written with composer Wayne Barker, at the Ogunquit Playhouse and Yes, I Can Say That at Primary Stages* starring Judy Gold. He is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir Following Foo: (the electronic adventures of the Chestnut Man); (Harper Entertainment). He has been recognized by the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Asian American Journalist's Association, Asian AIDS Project, GLAAD, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, The Anti-Violence Project, Lambda Legal, Museum of Chinese in America, and Marriage Equality New York. He sits on the Board of Trustees of The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors’ Fund), American Conservatory Theatre and Rosie’s Theater Kids.

Dear Listener,

What was it like translating this classic work for audio?
"As a writer of stories about the future, I’ve always believed in the power of storytelling for good. During the pandemic, however, I suffered a crisis of faith. All around me, lies passing as truth were the most popular stories, a testament to the power of storytelling for ill. Hoping to find a way out of the darkness, I began to read the Dao De Jing, a classic I simply assumed I knew through quotations and fixed expressions. It was nothing like I expected.
In the Dao De Jing, Laozi doesn’t comfort, persuade, or offer solace. He simply makes observations about Dao, the path of providence, of grace, of life itself. You can take his words or leave them; it’s all the same to him. He’s not trying to sell you anything. Yet, in that refusal to confront, to judge, to direct, Laozi did give me solace. What can be more comforting than to have a conversation with a mind that has transcended mortality, a voice that has survived the ages? The more I read, the more I wanted to argue, to contend, to dispute, and then, later, to yield, to accept, to imagine. I began to see the shape of my own life, the questions that opened seams, the patterns that pooled and shimmered.
Meanwhile, a record of my conversation with him could be set down. All translations are, ultimately, a reflection of the translator’s trials to discern the spirit of the text within its shadowy mirror. This book merely makes that struggle obvious instead of hiding it, a foolish honesty that I think Laozi would appreciate." -Ken Liu, translator of Laozi's Dao De Jing

What listeners say about Laozi's Dao De Jing

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Simply Brilliant

Lucid, accurate, resoundingly beautiful. What a gift! Many thanks to all the writers, musicians, producers, performers of this project. Thank you Audible Originals. I will be recommending this recording to friends and family. Also, hoping for a printed version.

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I like it

I really liked this book. It's both nice background noise and it's also so beautiful in its contents. I highly suggest it!

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Worth every second

Great commentary and additional Daoist stories - the narrator is terrific and the production adds to the material without being overwhelming

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Quotes and stories

Music was excellent . I’m going to purchase this book in hard cover. This book needs to be read over and over again.

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Beautiful!

The choices made in both translation/writing and audio production make for a great listen. I highly recommend this.

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Wow! I NEED this additionally in book format, please!

Not even an hour into this book, I wanted to buy a physical copy to take notes and write musings in the margins. But it only exists as an audiobook right now. I love the narration and listening to it, but please please please turn this into a physical book too so I can revisit it and reflect in writing on it too.

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Love this interpretation

Very loving and open, love how humbling and a perspective on why caring for everyone is better than a won argument. Puts a beautiful light on attuning into yourself to be able to love others unconditionally and without strings attached. Laugh at everything, even if it makes others uncomfortable.

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Does honor to a timeless masterpiece

Adds back value to a masterpiece of spiritual and literary writing which I will never get a chance to read without translation. A line in to the world of translating and writing. Well researched and deeply felt crafting both as a book and as an audiobook experience. Ken Liu has not hoarded the treasure of his journey, but given it to us.

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Worth reading.

You should definitely check an official translation or two or three out not just this one. This however, does give a good added perspective to the writing. I feel like it was worth the time to listen.

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Fantastic Journey

The Ken Liu translation of Lao Tzu is amazing! It felt like Liu brings the listener through his own journey to understanding The Dao De Jing. This is a heart felt and understood gift. The translation is mixed with commentary, which I found enjoyable (though I can see this could be distracting for others). There are also selected Chuan Tzu stories inserted at poinyent moments within the text to give an extra dimension to points being made by the Dao De Jing. I especially enjoyed those stories (it's been a long time since I've read any Chuan Tzu).

For those who treasure the teachings of Lao Tzu, I highly recommend this telling. Loved the places this version brought my mind and spirit.

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