Fly Me to the Moon: Chinese Folktales and Sci-Fi

September 14, 2024

From the ancient tales of Chang’e to modern visions of space, humanity’s imagination has always reached for the moon. As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, we invite you to explore a collection of books that blend the magic of Chinese folktales with the unyielding dream of exploring the cosmos. 

Visit the New Book Reading area on the first floor, immerse yourself in the mystical aura of the moon, and feel the enduring passion that has inspired generations to look skyward in wonder and ambition.

*Please remember to borrow the books first before you take them out of the library.*

博物志怪

Author: 张华,干宝,牛僧孺

Call Number: PL2455 .B698 2020 

华夏文明,传承千载,学问之道,渊深海阔。古人好学,“一事不知,以为深耻”;自古以来,“博物君子”,最受推重。不读书无以博物,欲为博物君子,请读博物之书:览地理,知怪物,须诵《山海经》;辨奇说,论异闻,无过《博物志》;断鬼神,识死生,首推《搜神记》;观传奇,通世情,应看《玄怪录》。摆落俗世的灰尘,涤荡内心的焦虑,“博物志怪”,撷英咀华,向你展开神话国度的帷幕,迎你步入奇幻世界的大门。


中华创世神话的精神世界

Author: 张多

Call Number: BL1825 .Z4363 2022 

中国人的神话世界从来不是单向度的,其超长时段的历史积淀和文明绵延,超级复杂的文化多样性和共同体结构,决定了这是一个学术“深渊”。毫不夸张地说,神话就像变幻莫测的云层,若不能抓住其形散神聚之“神”,则无法真正参透其之于中华文明的意义。

在“朝向当下”的神话学视野中,女娲、大禹、嫦娥、创世始祖是看得见、摸得着的,不仅鲜活地存续于今日中国大地上,更以惊人生命力活跃在影视艺术和互联网社会中,且不断强化有关创造力、坚忍、求索、互鉴和融通的共同价值。

The Magic Lotus Lantern and Other Tales from the Han Chinese

Author: Yuan, Haiwang

Call Number: GR335 .Y72 2006 

Focusing specifically on the stories of the Han Chinese (the largest ethnic group in China, numbering over a billion people), this collection presents more than 50 tales, both well known and obscure―from Monkeys Fishing the Moon and The Butterfly Lovers to Painted Skin and Dragon Princess

These are stories that will enchant listeners of all ages, while providing a glimpse into Chinese traditions and ways of thought. To further enhance cultural understanding, the tales are supplemented with historical and cultural background, notes on storytelling, crafts and games, recipes, proverbs, color photos, a map, a glossary, and more.

造访星辰:飞往太空的中国故事

Author: 江波 等

Call Number: PL2629.S34 Z36 2023

以中国空间站为起点,江波、宝树等国内一线作家小说集结,书写“飞往太空的中国故事”。从精密运行的航天仪器到异想天开的太空火锅,一众作家畅想着未来中国空间站的种种可能。他们写作的背后,既有千百年来中国人的浪漫想象,也有中国当代航天人的不懈追求。中国人对于星辰的向往,古往今来,始终如一。


月背征途:中国探月国家队记录人类首次登陆月球背面全过程

Author: 北京航天飞行控制中心

Call Number: QB582.5 .Y84 2021 

月球背面隐藏着哪些不为人知的奥秘?月球车的“身体结构”是怎样的?“嫦娥四号”沿什么路线飞到月球背面?“玉兔”在月背如何“睡觉”“行走”“吃饭”?

中国探月官方团队记录人类首次登陆月球背面全过程,完整梳理中国探月工程所有里程碑事件。详细介绍了月球车从发射、降落到巡视月背的全部细节。从“嫦娥一号”到“嫦娥四号”,再到未来的太空计划,都涵盖在内。一项国家级的伟大工程正逐步在我们眼前展开,壮观的月球景观、月球车的神秘冒险之旅、震惊世界的科学发现将由近百张高清图片一一见证。

The Grace of Kings

Author: Liu, Ken

Call Number: PS3612.I927 G73 2015

The Grace of Kings, Ken Liu’s debut novel, masterfully blends Chinese history and mythology with an epic story of rebellion and warfare. Liu, a Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award winner, creates a rich and imaginative world that offers both entertainment and thoughtful reflections on leadership and power.

Ken Liu is also the translator of Liu Cixin’s The Three-Body Problem, and The New York Times praised him as having “done more than anyone to bridge the gap between Chinese science fiction and American readers.”

The Wandering Earth (English ver.)

Author: Liu, Cixin

Call Number: PL2947.C59 A2 2022 

“I have never seen the night. I have never seen the stars. I have never seen spring, fall, or winter. I was born as the Braking Era ended, just as the Earth stopped turning.”

One of the most renowned Chinese science fiction works, The Wandering Earth explores the survival of humanity as Earth is pushed out of its orbit to avoid a dying sun. This thrilling novel reflects themes of collective survival and technological ingenuity, making it a must-read for sci-fi lovers interested in Chinese perspectives on space and survival.

中秋节之嫦娥奔月 / The Mid-Autumn Festival: The Moon Goddess Chang’e

Author: Chen, Carol

Call Number: PL1117.C456 Z4756 2013 

This book introduces the Mid-Autumn Festival and the story of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess. It’s perfect for readers studying Chinese and interested in traditional Chinese mythology and folklore. 

Part of The Chinese Library Series, it is graded for language learners, with six levels available based on vocabulary. You can find them in open stacks on the third floor.

Book summaries and covers are sourced from the Internet.