Classic Chinese Stories, Retold in English
A PODCAST BY JOHN ZHU
There are Chinese novels, stories, myths, and legends that have been read, told, retold, and cherished by billions of people for centuries. Their influence on Chinese and other Eastern cultures is the equal of Shakespearean plays and Homeric epics in the West, yet large swaths of the world are unaware of these amazing works. I try to help change that by retelling these classic Chinese tales in podcast format, in English, and with the necessary background information to help non-Chinese audiences understand and appreciate them.
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Latest Episodes
Gods 086: How Gods Are Made
In one afternoon’s work, Jiang Ziya expands the pantheon of Chinese folk religion, and he’s not too particular about who makes the cut.
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Gods Supplemental 003: Jiang Ziya
A quick look at Jiang Ziya the historical figure vs. Jiang Ziya the fictional character.
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Gods 085: Homeward Bound
A new day dawns for the kingdom, which is good news to everyone except Jiang Ziya’s ex-wife.
Read moreStories I Have Covered
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
The most revered of China’s four great classic novels. Think “Game of Thrones” meets Homeric epic. (Completed, 2014-2018, 175 episodes)
Water Margin (Outlaws of the Marsh)
Another of the four great Chinese classic novels. Imagine Klingons run amok in 12th-century China. (Completed, 2019-2022, 141 episodes)
Investiture of the Gods
A leading work in the “gods and demons” genre of Chinese fiction. A tale of dynastic struggles and Daoist mafia wars (In progress, 2022-present)
What Listeners Are Saying
Reviews from Apple Podcasts
It’s partly an audiobook, partly a history lesson, and great in how it handles both.
This guy tells this story so well with just the right amount of western humor and sarcasm …
The beauty of John Zhu’s work here is that he explains in detail what warrants clarification, elides the extras, and brings his enthusiasm for the work right to the fore.
He has managed to light the same fire within me as when my father read me The Hobbit for the first time as a child.
The host is charismatic and entertaining while the story itself is engrossing.
The source material is wonderful, but the retelling for a contemporary Western audience is really just amazing …
He’s got a great storytelling style and his side commentary on the story is great and occasionally has me actually laugh out loud.
His podcasts are entertaining and true to the tone of the original story. He has a real talent for making Chinese stories accessible to a western audience.
Anyone from ages 6 to 600 would enjoy his retelling of this incredible story.
What a great way to dive into Chinese culture and history! A truly masterful presentation!
I love John Zhu’s infectious enthusiasm for the subject matter and his meticulous attention to detail.
His podcasts are entertaining and true to the tone of the original story. He has a real talent for making Chinese stories accessible to a western audience.
SUPPORT THE PODCAST
Get a Three Kingdoms poster
I’ve designed a 24″ x 23″ poster that gives a quick overview of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. You can purchase a print-quality PDF in my Patreon store and use it to order a print from an online printshop.
Go to Patreon storeOther ways to support the show