Manesse
Chinese ghost and love stories
Chinese Ghost and Love Stories is a collection of Chinese tales translated and edited into German by Martin Buber. Buber, an important Jewish philosopher and writer, is best known for his work on the philosophy of dialog, but he also dealt intensively with mystical and spiritual themes, including the cultural and spiritual traditions of China.
This collection includes stories that deal with the themes of love and spirits, two central motifs in Chinese literature and folklore. The stories, often from different dynasties, reflect the deep-rooted Chinese notion of the interaction between the world of the living and the world of spirits. At the same time, the theme of love is often intertwined with elements of the supernatural, giving these stories a special depth and emotional resonance.
Buber's selection and translation place particular emphasis on preserving the originality and cultural context of the tales while making them accessible to a German-speaking audience. Buber's foreword provides an introduction to the subject matter and explains why these stories are also relevant in a Western context.
This work is not only of literary interest, but also offers a fascinating insight into the cultural and spiritual world of China, conveyed through the lens of one of the most important thinkers of the 20th century.