China’s Creation and Origin Myths: Cross-cultural Explorations in Oral and Written Traditions

"The prevailing and misleading idea among scholars home and abroad that there is no creation myth in ancient China has had such an impact that, in spite of their huge efforts to correct it, scholars both in China and abroad seem to have swallowed it." This statement is from the preface written by editors Mineke Schipper (intercultural literary studies, Leiden U., The Netherlands); Ye Shuxian (comparative literature, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences); and Yin Hubin (folklore, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences). Thirty-four contributions speak to the opposing point of view. Arrangement is according to the broad themes of comparative perspectives, rediscovering the beginning in texts, oral tradition and ethnic diversity, and an anthology of creation and origin myths. Black & white illustrations are interspersed, and the book concludes with a section of fascinating color plates showing Chinese artwork depicting the origin of the world. Annotation 穢2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)