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.
This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “A superhero with Chinese characteristics”
Culture August 26th 2023
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