The Monkey King is one of China’s most successful cultural exports
As a new film shows, it is a rare example of a Chinese work spreading to the West
THE MONKEY King, like many iconic fictional heroes—Harry Potter, Batman, Little Orphan Annie—had an unhappy childhood. Sprung from a rock on a mythical mountain, he overcame early hardship to hone his fighting skills, learning to somersault clouds and to turn each hair on his body into a miniature version of his warrior self. With his mix of mischief and might, he resembles the Hollywood pantheon’s many superheroes. But the Monkey King is different: he is more than 400 years old and comes from China.
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This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “A superhero with Chinese characteristics”
Culture
August 26th 2023- The Monkey King is one of China’s most successful cultural exports
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