thanks saiyuuki, i'm impressed. Saiyuuki - have you read the english version of monkey - journey to the west? if yes is it anything like the tv series.

abby

No, sorry - I haven't read it.

I've read the abridged version of it.

And it's pretty much exactly like the show (well, the show's exactly like it).
There are bits that the show doesn't include, but I think it's better than the actual show, well, it was for me.

Hello all. I'm half-way through volume 2 of the unabrigded version. Yes, it is quite like the show, I agree. it's pretty funny, because due to translation some of the characters say rather inappropriate things. on a different topic, has anyone else noticed that in the Monkey episode where the master priest tries to steal Tripitaka's robe, and it gets stolen by that evil spirit person, when Monkey is trying to get into the monster's cave, he calls, among other things, a "poofta" it's pretty funny

beleave it or not I have never seen the series but I have read about half of Journey To The West the first valume. It is a good series.

one day Ill finaly see some of the tv series. right now tho I am watching a virsion thats in chinese subtitles and dubed in some other language.

to wich isnt to bad. The effects are funny ...

also I am looking for another series that is rare to find..
that has ######y Chung As the Monkey King

For those who have either never read the books, or have never watched the TV series, there are many differences. It is complicated by the fact that there isn't what you might call an "original" book - at least, not that exists today. The story is absolutely ancient and the translations that exist today are based on one or more variants. To the best of my knowledge, the truly original version (which was based on an actual journey, albeit not by Chinese superheros) does not exist in written form.

Of the seasons of the original TV series "Monkey", I'd say that the first season is closest to the books, albeit with the episodes not following the sequence very well. (In the books, Monkey flies over Buddha's hand a LONG time prior to meeting Tripitaka, for example.)

For those who are not fanatical readers, I do not recommend any of the unabridged translations - they are hard going - but the shorter book "Monkey" contains the essence of the story and is a much lighter read. The unabridged version is good, if you're up to the challenge AND are willing to hunt up some obscure cultural references. Especially in the Tao version of the story. If I recall correctly, the full version is longer than Lord of the Rings.

(Hmmm. That's got me thinking. If the guys behind LotR were to do the full, unabridged version of Journey to the West as a movie series...)