James Scarth Gale

Un libro de historias coreanas del siglo XVI y XVII
Lo mas sorprendente es que los autores creen estas historias completamente.

En una historia un zorro se convierte en persona y el autor se pregunta cuales seran los mecanismos de tal conversion, pero nunca se plantea que quiza no ocurrio.

Tambien es sorprendente como en muchas historias no pasa nada significativo ni tienen ninguna moral o metafora. Alguien convierte seda en mariposas, las mariposas en seda, se lo enseña a su mujer, pero ella nunca se lo dijo a nadie. Fin.

Es interesante la cantidad de burocracia que habia en la epoca, a imagen y semejanza de China!… (más)

One of the finest of the early missionary books on Korea. James Gale, together with Dr. Underwood and others, made early translations of the Bible into the easy to learn and read Korean native script which had lain dormant for 400 years. It was viewed with contempt by those versed in the complex Chinese character system, but became a means of literacy for the poor and uneducated and an avenue for the rapid spread of the Christian Gospel. Mr. Gale was an early explorer of Korea and noted that in eight years (1889-1897) he had "crossed the peninsula of Korea twelve times by different roads and in different seasons of the year, " and in 1915, he said he had crossed the peninsula twenty five times by pony. His observations and reflections on Korea, its people, culture and religions, were written during the time of the opening up of Korea to foreign influences (commerce, diplomacy and missionary). Presented in a highly literate and entertaining manner.… (más)