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Chinese Mythology: An Introduction. By ANNE BIRRELL. Baltimore, Md.: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1993. xix, 322 pp. $34.95.
Anne Birrell, author of New Song from a Jade Terrace and Popular Songs and Ballad of Han China, now contributes an extremely useful collection of early Chinese myths. Tracing a middle path between different theories of myth, she fashions a straightforward analytical framework for the great variety of material she assembles here. She creates an encyclopedia of mythic narratives, arranged by thematic categories. Many of these well-selected and ably translated texts are made available here in English for the first time. Birrell provides not only specialists but anyone interested in comparative mythology with a wealth of primary sources to contemplate and enjoy. Examining a subject that fascinated the earliest western sinologists, she brings the fresh perspective of current scholarship in China and the West, and lays the groundwork for future study in this field. The bibliography and indices are well designed and informative, making reference easy.
In her introduction, the author explains clearly the task she has set for herself, justifying her comparative and thematic perspective. Drawing upon myth and folklore studies from all over the world, she discusses several definitions and categories of myth. She describes possible approaches to Chinese myth, explaining the special characteristics and problems associated with Chinese mythic texts. Along the way, Birrell reviews previous works on the subject, including recent studies by Chinese and Japanese scholars. In particular, she introduces the valuable work of Yuan Ho to readers of English. She classifies mythic narratives into periods. Finally, she indicates important areas...