Liaozhai – Mr. Historian of the Strange – Intervieew with Susan Wan Dolling

Ghosts, fox spirits, seductive women, and terrifying monsters populate Liaozhai Zhiyi, one of China’s greatest collections of supernatural tales. Just in time for Halloween, translator Susan Wan Dolling joins the Chinese Literature Podcast to discuss her new book, Mr. Historian of the Strange, featuring stories by the 17th-century writer Pu Songling. We explore the chilling tale of “Painted Skin,” the surprisingly powerful women in these stories, and the personal family history that inspired Susan’s translation. You can get a copy here at Earnshaw Books, or from Seattle’s least loved bookseller here.   Also, Susan and her cello teacher do a wonderful series, Note After Note, where they combine translations of Chinese poetry and music.