How many pages does Journey to the West have? This is a question that has intrigued many readers of this classic Chinese novel. Journey to the West, also known as “Xi You Ji,” is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, written by Wu Cheng’en during the Ming Dynasty. Its rich narrative and profound themes have captivated readers for centuries, but the exact number of pages in the original text remains a subject of debate.
The original manuscript of Journey to the West is believed to have been composed in the early 16th century. Over the years, various editions and translations have been published, leading to different page counts. In its earliest printed version, the novel was divided into 100 chapters, with an estimated 80,000 characters. This would translate to approximately 160 pages in a modern Chinese text.
However, as the novel gained popularity, additional chapters and subplots were added, resulting in longer editions. The most widely recognized version of Journey to the West is the 100-chapter edition, which contains 80,000 characters and is divided into 100 chapters. This version is commonly found in modern Chinese textbooks and is often translated into English.
In English translations, the page count can vary significantly. The first English translation, published in 1898, was titled “The Monkey and the Monk” and was translated by Arthur Waley. This translation consists of 80,000 characters and is divided into 100 chapters, similar to the Chinese original. However, the page count in this version is around 200 pages.
Subsequent English translations, such as those by James H. Yu and Anthony C. Yu, have also retained the 100-chapter structure. The page count in these translations can range from 200 to 300 pages, depending on the publisher and the translator’s choice of language and style.
In conclusion, the number of pages in Journey to the West can vary depending on the edition and translation. While the original Chinese manuscript may have been around 160 pages, modern English translations can range from 200 to 300 pages. Regardless of the page count, the enduring popularity of this classic novel is a testament to its timeless appeal and profound storytelling.
